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Mazda gave us a glimpse of its next-generation Sky-G (gas) and Sky-D (diesel) powertrains at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, as well as its new Sky-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. These engines are currently running the testing gauntlet, as the first applications are expected to show up as early as next year in the refreshed Mazda6 sedan.

Car and Driver was able to snag an early test of a 2.0-liter Sky-G engine, which will reportedly achieve 30 miles per gallon in the city and 39 to 40 mpg on the highway when used in a Mazda3. This puts it in the same territory as the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta TDIs, not to mention besting smaller offerings like the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit.

C&D also got the skinny on Mazda’s 2.2-liter Sky-D diesel powertrain, which the automaker has confirmed for application in its “next-generation mid-size sedan” (*cough* Mazda6 *cough*) which will achieve up to 43 mpg on the highway. Take that, Fusion Hybrid. Head over to Car and Driver’s full deep-dive for a raft of details about both of the new engines.

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Car and Driver]

Prototype Mazda3 with 2.0L Sky-G engine gets 30/40 mpg

      

Tags: 2.0, 2.2, applications, Car, Car and Driver, CarAndDriver, ford, honda, Honda Fit, hybrid, mazda, mazda6, photo, Photos, review, ring, test, volkswagen

Hollywood movies are chock full of kick-ass superhero cars. There are radical vehicles, like the Batmobile and Mach 5, and then there are the gussied-up street cars like Eleanor, Greased Lightning and Austin Powers’ Shaguar. Aside from the extreme styling, most of the mechanized celebrities from Hollywood are only capable of conjuring their supernatural performance on-screen. Step aside Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and make room for FireBreather.

Getting a jump on Jinn, a film due to be released next year by Exxodus Pictures, Classic Design Concepts is introducing its own superhero car. Unlike the aforementioned movie props, relegated to static displays in museums or car shows, the satin-black hero in the upcoming supernatural thriller will make it into limited production and offer enough performance to back up its enhanced persona.

Autoblog caught up with the wickedly-styled Camaro coupe at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance a couple weeks ago. While the venue is hardly an ideal setting for putting any car through its paces, there was plenty of time to take in the FireBreather aura and persuade its supercharged 600-horsepower engine to remove more than a few layers of rubber from the rear tires.

As expected, there were many questions in need of answering. How was it transformed? Who’s behind the styling and what’s the logic behind the name? Most importantly, what’s it like to drive this real-life superhero car? These answers and more, after the jump.

Continue reading Quick Spin: FireBreather Camaro

Quick Spin: FireBreather Camaro

    

Tags: camaro, Car, cars, concept, Coupe, design, F1, ford, horsepower, iREB, Jaguar, Mac, mustang, photo, Photos, review, ring, super, Time

With the Paris Motor Show a mere month away, automakers from around the globe are unleashing a barrage of teasers and rumors that hint to what will be on display. According to Auto Express, Jaguar is the latest company to let slip what it has planned. The murky report says the Leaping Cat will pull the covers off of an XK-sized sports car inspired by the Porsche 918. While that likely means the concept will boast a fantastical hybrid drivetrain with more torque than sense, it doesn’t mean that Tata is going to fast-track this car for production. Auto Express says the car is more to flex the company’s styling muscles than anything else.

While that means we likely won’t be seeing another sultry two-door in the Jaguar stable any time soon, the new concept will give us some insight into what’s coming down the pike in terms of Jaguar design. That may include some new, oblong grille language to replace the slinky oval of the E-Types of old. Supposedly the company’s designers are having a hard time maintaining the oval grille’s proportions on the company’s new widebody platforms.

[Source: Auto Express Image: Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL]

Report: Jaguar sports car concept bound for Paris

    

Tags: 2011, API, Car, concept, design, hybrid, Jaguar, Other, platforms, Porsche, review, rumors, test, Time, UK

	LA Auto Show preview: Infiniti to launch 2012 M35 hybrid Perhaps you’ve met its cousin, the Nissan Fuga hybrid?		Smart’s problems mean sales will likely be under 100,000 units for 2010 Next-gen and EV models can’t get here soon enough.
	Toyota considers hybrid version of subcompact Etios for Indian market It’s still highly unlikely that the subcompact will ever come to the U.S.	Other news: Automakers, suppliers lobby Washington to promote green efforts Demand for ethanol-free gas still growing Has hybrid demand peaked? Probably not and here’s why

AutoblogGreen for 09.01.10

      

Tags: abg, autobloggreen, Free, green, gto, hybrid, India, Japan, M3, nissan, Other, preview, review, sale, toyota, U.S.

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 8.31.10

    

Tags: 2011, 599, banner, Fiat, gto, honda, hybrid, Hyundai, M3, preview, review, ring, subaru, test, U.S., vw

That didn’t take long. As soon as the Ferrari 599 Spyder post went live this afternoon we started hearing from multiple sources that Ferrari did indeed preview a 599 “Roadster” in Monterey a few weeks ago and that the letter posted on Luxury4Play is authentic. It shouldn’t be that surprising, after all, we did a post predicting the unveiling a while back.

Apparently the invitees had to negotiate a tricky path after clearing a security gate to get to the venue. They all had to sign NDAs and their phones and cameras were confiscated. The car that was presented to them was a 599 convertible with a part-time fabric roof that included a removable glass panel for the back window. It was described as an occasional use roof, making this more of a barchetta than a spider in Ferrari parlance. Actually one person described it as nothing more than a piece of fabric that connected to both sides of the body. We’re thinking a Porsche Boxster Spyder-type arrangement.

This particular 599 roadster was rosso fuoco – a rare and expensive multi-layer red – and had silver buttresses. It also had a new wheel design. The best news about this new model was that the engine will come from the recently unveiled 599 GTO and that the convertible will weigh no more than the current 599 GTB coupe. It will be priced at a premium over the GTO and will be limited to just 100 units. There was no indication of what this new model will be called, but Barchetta and SuperAmerica were used on the 550 and 575 convertibles, so maybe one of those will be resurrected…or possibly another name from Ferrari’s past, like Monza. Sales were tentatively promised for Summer 2011.

That was quick – Ferrari 599 Roadster preview confirmed

    

Tags: 2011, 599, 599 gto, boxster spyder, Car, Coupe, design, gto, Other, Porsche, porsche boxster, Porsche Boxster Spyder, preview, review, ring, sale, security, Spider, spyder, super, Time

Small MPVs might not be the hottest commodities here in the United States, but these little functional wonders sell like hotcakes in other markets, especially Europe. To keep up with the growing segment, Toyota has given its Verso hatch a rather substantial makeover, and we’ll see the all-new Verso-S debut at the Paris Motor Show in just a few weeks.

Upon its launch in the UK in early 2011, the Verso-S will be the shortest B-segment MPV in Europe – the car is less than four meters (157 inches) long. It’s a sharp little hatch, too, looking like the lovechild of a Honda Fit and a Toyota iQ, the latter of which supplies many of the visual cues seen here on the new Verso-S.

Toyota is still keeping quiet about the full specifications, but expect the floodgates to open at the end of September closer to the little MPV’s official debut. Read more in Toyota’s press release, after the jump.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Toyota Verso-S gets an iQ-inspired makeover

Paris Preview: Toyota Verso-S gets an iQ-inspired makeover

    

Tags: 2011, Car, Europe, fun, gm, honda, Honda Fit, Official, Other, photo, Photos, preview, review, tC, test, toyota, UK

Chris, Sam, Alex and Dan convene for Episode #193 of the Autoblog Podcast. We cover the Ford Boss Mustang and Roush supercharger package, the latest Chevrolet Volt fuel economy dust-up, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, Mazda’s apparent new design language and the Lotus Evora S and Evora IPS. We finish it off by talking about snow tires, that most summery of topics. It’s an a quick 51 minutes, See you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #193 – Hot Mustangs, Volt Mileage, 1 Series M, Mazda design and Lotus Evoras

In the Autoblog Garage:

Honda CRZ
Lexus RX450h

News:

• BMW 1 Series M Coupe
• Volt sub-30 mpg claim
  
• Mazda Shinari concept
  
• Roush Mustang supercharger
  
• Lotus Evora S and IPS
  

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Shunk, Alex Nunez

Runtime: 50:59

---

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
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Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #193 – Hot Mustangs, Volt Mileage, 1 Series M, Mazda design and Lotus Evoras

      

Tags: 2011, Apple, Audi, bmw, BMW 1 Series, chevrolet, concept, Coupe, design, ford, honda, iTunes, lexus, Lotus, mazda, mp3, mustang, review, super, test, Time, Video

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has only been on sale for a few months, but it’s already winning over many American mid-size sedan buyers, and we’ve been every impressed by what we’ve found in our first drive and review. However, the rakish new Sonata could face a recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into about 16,300 Sonatas due to potential steering issues.

NHTSA has received reports that cite problems with either a separation of the upper universal joint in the intermediate steering shaft assembly. The result is a complete loss of steering capability, though the universal joint was not completely separated.

Hyundai says that it is unaware of any accidents or injuries connected to this issue and that it is fully cooperating with NHTSA on the investigation. The automaker also says that it had received reports of two vehicles with a steering problem linked to the upper universal joint, but that both were repaired without issue. Expect the results of NHTSA’s investigation to be released in the coming weeks.

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL
[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: NHTSA investigating steering issues on 2011 Hyundai Sonata

      

Tags: 2011, epa, Hyundai, iCan, photo, Photos, review, ring, sale, test

Take off your rose-colored glasses, CRX fans

Okay, so the 2011 Honda CR-Z isn’t exactly the modern-day CRX redux that we were all hoping for. Mildly upsetting, yes, but perhaps this disappointment tarnished our initial impression of this newest hybrid offering from Honda. We still have many questions about its form and function, but need to accept the fact that times have changed, Honda’s product strategies have been realigned to the times and the CRX shall remain a modern classic – especially the Si. Besides, this little two-seat hybrid isn’t really all that bad. Really.

What we have here is an inherently good vehicle that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. It only has two seats and its EPA fuel economy numbers are underwhelming. A Ford Fiesta, for example, is more functional, less expensive and gets nearly the same combined fuel economy – at least compared to a manual-equipped CR-Z like our tester.

But don’t write off the CR-Z completely. It may be a tough sell when looked at from a big picture perspective, but on its own, it’s a pretty good little whip. Follow the jump to find out why.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z

Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z

    

Tags: 2011, A4, epa, ford, fun, honda, hybrid, photo, Photos, POI, review, ring, test, Time

Infiniti has officially announced plans to debut its first hybrid sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November. The M35 hybrid first appeared – badged as the Nissan Fuga hybrid – at last fall’s Tokyo Motor Show, propelled by Nissan’s first in-house hybrid system. The M35 is powered by a retuned Atkinson cycle version of the 3.5-liter VQ V6 paired with a 50-kilowatt electric motor and a lithium ion battery pack that uses the same type of cells that power the Nissan Leaf.

The motor is a disc-type unit packed between the engine and the six-speed automatic transmission in a similar fashion to the systems from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Porsche. Infiniti claims the M35 will deliver V8 performance with the fuel consumption of a four cylinder. While the Fuga is set to go on sale in Japan this fall, the M35 hybrid arrives in the U.S. next year as a 2012 model.

[Source: Nissan]

LA Auto Show preview: Infiniti to launch 2012 M35 hybrid

    

Tags: bmw, green, hybrid, Japan, M3, mercedes, mercedes-benz, nissan, Official, opel, photo, Photos, Porsche, preview, review, sale, SIM, U.S., V8, volkswagen, vw

When gas prices hit the stratosphere in 2008, car buyers began a frenzied search for fuel efficient transportation. One of the big winners as a result of pricey petrol was the little Smart Fortwo. A surprising 25,000 copies of Daimler’s diminutive two-seater flew off dealer lots that year, followed by solid though less spectacular sales throughout much of 2009.

There is little doubt that the Fortwo started off on the right foot here in the States, but Smart’s feel-good story in the U.S. took a turn for the worse in 2010. Through the first seven months of this year, Automotive News reports that Smart has sold only 4,000 Fortwos. German news source Der Spiegel says that U.S. Smart sales will likely be only one third of the 25,000 units sold in 2008. Because of these low U.S. sales numbers, Smart is in danger of selling fewer than 100,000 units worldwide for the year, down considerably from the 114,000 units sold in 2009.

Is it surprising that the Fortwo’s luster has worn so thin so fast here in the U.S.? We don’t think so, especially considering the Fortwo’s fuel economy numbers of 33 miles per gallon in the city and 41 mpg highway aren’t as good as far more functional hybrids like the Toyota Prius and are even beginning to be matched by larger gas-powered vehicles like the Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Cruze. Nor were we that thrilled with the Fortwo when we reviewed a 2009 model. At this point, the only way Smart will get back on track in the U.S. is if gas prices spike again, or if the upcoming revival of the Smart Forfour takes this country by storm.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]

Smart pummelled by U.S. sales freefall, tipped to sell under 100,000 globally?

      

Tags: Cabriolet, Car, chevrolet, ford, Free, fun, hybrid, photo, Photos, POI, review, ring, sale, tC, toyota, U.S.

My daily driver is lowered. Really low. Like damn-near-touring car low. Almost every car I’ve owned over the last decade has benefited from some kind of suspension setup that dropped its ride height. Traversing speed-bumps and steep driveways has always been a slow-speed, one-wheel-at-a-time affair for me. But with all these different cars with their low clearances, I’ve never had as many problems with scraping as I have with our long-term Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition.

The first time it reared its ugly head wasn’t in a parking lot or on a curb, but during my initial blast down a favorite backroad. I went into a banked right-hand bend, and as the left suspension loaded up, I heard a faint scraping noise up front. I figured it was a fluke until it happened a second time. Then a third. After the drive, I stopped to scope out the damage and found the paint stripped down to the base coat under the left bumper.

Since then, it’s only gotten worse, but it’s not the lower fascia that’s taking the brunt of the abuse.

There’s a small lip on the plastic underbody tray that gets caught on driveways and a marginally steep curbs, and after a few dozen scrapes, the four plastic clips holding it to the bumper are approaching their breaking point. It’s not a major issue, but hearing plastic meeting asphalt on a regular basis is enough to make anyone cringe.

As such, I make it a point to reverse into driveways steeper than a few degrees and slowly pull out, careful to drop one wheel, and then the next, when leaving. Yes, this is a sporty sedan. And yes, some concessions need to be made. But with a suspension that’s barely lower than a stock TDI, it’s the front fascia – and specifically this underbody tray – that’s to blame. And considering this is the same kit pulled from VW’s TDI racers, a slight modification to the lower valance might have been in order for street duty. While it’s more than just eye candy and has been optimized for increased airflow over the standard Jetta, the Cup Street Edition’s lower valance must live in the real world, and so far, the real world has left its mark on our long-term tester.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition: How low is too low?

    

Tags: API, Asphalt, breaking, Car, cars, duty, photo, Photos, POI, review, ring, test, Time, UK, volkswagen, vw

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 8.30.10

    

Tags: 2011, ARM, banner, Cabriolet, concept, design, epa, mazda, Motorcycle, nissan, Porsche, porsche boxster, preview, review, ring, spy shots, Suzuki, test, toyota, U.S., UK

The product pipeline for Mercedes-Benz is a Horn of Plenty over the next three years, with at least seven new models landing on American shores on top of refreshed and new-generation offerings. We’ve seen the new CL, CLS, S-Class and R-Class, and spy shots of the coming SLK, SL, SLS Convertible, C-Class Coupe.

Beyond those, it’s the next B-Class that could be one of the most intriguing additions to the MBUSA playbook. The redesigned hatch will be made more compelling for American buyers, and will be the first Mercedes to arrive Stateside with front-wheel drive and four-cylinder engines. Recent rumors also suggest it will get a rear-wheel-drive AMG version and be the basis for a CLC Shooting Brake, as well as getting its own coupe, crossover and sedan trims.

Other models in the queue will be brand new, not just new to us. These include a C-Class convertible and potential crossover would give M-B 3 Series convertible and X3 competitors. A 100-strong fleet of F-Cell vehicles will be tested in California, and the SLS E-Cell will come in 2013 with 526 horsepower and a 120-mile range. And just as all of those treats are arriving, the same year will see the arrival of the new S-Class Coupe (replacing the CL nameplate), S-Class, E-Class and GL.

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: Mercedes-Benz readying raft of new product, including B-Class coupe

      

Tags: 2011, AMG, Car, CLS, Coupe, design, horsepower, iCan, mercedes, mercedes-benz, Official, Other, preview, review, ring, rumors, spy shots, tC, test, USA, V8

Citroën previewed its next-generation design language at this year’s Geneva Motor Show with the DS High Rider concept, and the first production car to use these shapely new lines will be the DS4 five-door hatch, which makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in just a few weeks.

The DS4’s two rear doors are nicely incorporated into the overall shape and a set of muscular wheel arches and sloped roofline give the high-riding hatch a sort of coupe-like profile from some angles. LED running lamps top the front foglight surrounds, and Citroen’s minimal use of chrome lend the DS4 an upscale appearance. Additionally, those big arches will be nicely filled with a range of large wheels – 19-inch alloys will round off the top-end models.

Inside, Citroën has created a cabin that is both luxurious and spacious, with a tall, raked windshield providing a large, clear view of the road ahead. The chunky-funky steering wheel, sculpted dashboard and center stack look fresh and modern, though we’ll admit that the tiller’s design stands out a bit in what is otherwise a sleek, modern cockpit.

When it launches in 2011, the DS4 will be available with five powertrain options. Two diesel engines will be available, producing 110 and 160 horsepower, as well as three petrol-sippers, cranking out 120, 155 and 200 horsepower, depending on your need for speed. The three gasoline engines were co-developed with BMW, and the full range of powerplants can be mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

We’ll be checking out the new DS4 in person in the not-too-distant future. For now, Citroën’s official press release beckons after the jump and a high-res gallery of shots is below.

[Source: Citroën]

Continue reading Officially Official: Citroën DS4 blends compact size and luxury

Officially Official: Citroën DS4 blends compact size and luxury

    

Tags: 2011, bmw, Car, citroen, concept, Coupe, design, fun, geneva, Geneva Motor Show, horsepower, Need for Speed, Official, Other, photo, Photos, preview, review, ring, Stack, tC

Sexagenarians Rejoice! Your Ride Has Arrived

Have you seen the TV commercials for the 2011 Toyota Avalon? One particular 30-second spot sticks out. It’s shot through a 1960’s filter and features an old-fashioned voice over, cheesy elevator music and an airline pilot driving the big Toyota sedan on a cloud with a pretty flight attendant in the passenger seat. It’s like something the Mad Men crew would create, minus the misogyny.

That Toyota’s marketing team produced such a commercial proves they know exactly who buys the Avalon: people who were alive and watching television 50 years ago. Since a “jet-smooth ride” and “quiet cabin” don’t set an enthusiast’s soul ablaze, we’re taking Toyota’s hint and getting in the mood for our review of the updated Avalon by donning a cardigan, ordering a scotch and soda and developing a one-sided friendship with Alex Trebec. So let’s phrase it in the form of a question: How good is the 2011 Toyota Avalon? Follow the jump to find out.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Toyota Avalon

Review: 2011 Toyota Avalon

    

Tags: 2011, Car, feature, features, music, photo, Photos, review, ring, sex, tC, test, toyota, update, YouTube

File this in the drawer labeled “Only Remotely,” but Mazda U.S. VP of product development Robert Davis allowed that the company is considering a diesel engine for the next Mazdaspeed3. Based on the report in Car and Driver, it looks like that’s as far as this has gotten: a diesel is on the table. Beyond that, none of the ‘pros’ mentioned seem to make a case for it, and the ‘cons’ make a case against it.

The idea is made possible by the fact that whippersnappers getting into a Mazdaspeed3 aren’t against diesel engines, being more familiar with modern clean diesels than the particulate monsters of yore. But if Mazda boosted its diesel Sky engine for the purpose of being a high performance engine, the frugality benefits of the engine would be erased. Then there’s that whole issue of additional heaps of diesel torque, and the additional heaps of torque steer that Mazda would have to engineer out of the car.

So it is perhaps best to take from this that a diesel engine for the next Mazdaspeed3 is a distant option, which could be seen as another crack in the wall. And while “Only Remotely” doesn’t mean impossible, we wouldn’t place any wagers on such a thing happening this next go-round.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Car and Driver]

Rumormill: Next Mazdaspeed3 to go diesel?

      

Tags: Car, Car and Driver, CarAndDriver, mazda, Other, photo, Photos, review, ring, U.S., VP

With the departure of Laurens van den Acker to Renault, Mazda’s loved or loathed Nagare design language has been dispatched, and in its place is a new designer (Ikuo Maeda) a new theme, a new concept and a new name: Kodo.

Set to debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month, the Shinari concept is our first glimpse at the future of Mazda styling. The four-door design exercise evolves the Nagare theme into a more cohesive and – dare we say – production-ready form, toning down the massive grin currently found on the Mazda3 and other models, while incorporating new aluminum accents that are expected to proliferate through Mazda’s future products.

Until the Paris show, these leaked image are all we have to go on, but judging by the hit-or-miss nature of Nagare, we like what we’re seeing thus far. And if you’re wondering, “Kodo” translates roughly to “soul of motion.”

[Sources: Autoblog.it, Autoblog.nl]

Paris Preview: Mazda debuts new Kodo design language with Shinari Concept

    

Tags: concept, CTS, design, epa, mazda, Other, photo, Photos, preview, Renault, review, ring, tC, theme

We got a glimpse of it not long ago in renderings, now Heico Sportiv has taken its retuned 2011 Volvo S60 to the track and brought us some souvenirs of the day. Changes are restrained yet aggressive outside, with added front lip components and a rear diffuser that wraps around four tailpipes, in addition to a set of attractive gunmetal Volution wheels.

Under the hood is where the real oomph resides, with power outputs hitting the 297 horsepower and 258 pound-feet in the 2.0T, and 330 hp and 339 lb-ft. in the T6. In the T6 model, that will get you from naught to 62 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds. Follow the jump for all the details and to see it in motion, and have a look at the gallery of high-res photos below.

[Source: Heico Sportiv]

Continue reading Heico Sportiv adds aggression to new Volvo S60 [w/video]

Heico Sportiv adds aggression to new Volvo S60 [w/video]

    

Tags: 2.0, 2011, horsepower, photo, Photos, preview, review, ring, Video