2011Toyota Sienna – Click above for high-res image gallery
My wife and I? Not minivan people. It isn’t for lack of appreciation. After all, we have three kids, so we’re acutely aware of the advantages gained from lots of interior space. We get our three rows in a different form factor; one that’s admittedly less practical but doesn’t make us feel like we’re flying the white flag of suburban surrender in the garage.
For our annual summer vacation, we decided to see how more sensible people roll. Our ride for the week was the latest monument to family-friendly practicality: the (stickering at a significant $44,919 as tested). Its mission: schlep the author, his wife, our seven-year-old daughter, four-year-old son, 11-month-old son and the rather daunting pile of related detritus up to Cape Cod for a five-day getaway. Would everything fit easily? Would it actually be pleasant to drive? Would we be beset with secret minivan jealousy forever after? All those answers and more after the jump.
It was only a matter of time before Brabus got around to turning its attention to the . The German tuner has given the Silver Arrow’s newest supercar the once over with a smattering of aesthetic additions both inside and out, as well as a few mechanical tweaks. Things get started with a carbon-fiber spoiler up front, as well as new fender vents made of the same light-weight material. A similar treatment crops up on the rear fascia, along with new titanium exhaust tips. Those tips are part of a full system that Brabus claims weighs a full 40 percent less than the stock pipes. Throw in a set of massive forged wheels (20 inches up front, 21 out back) and you’ve got the full package.
Inside, Brabus will be happy to custom tailor the SLS AMG interior to each customer’s taste. A new ergonomic steering wheel comes along with stainless scuff plates with an illuminated Brabus logo, though beyond that it’s up to the buyer to decide on what type and color leather strikes their fancy. How much will all of this kit set you back? Brabus isn’t saying, but you know what they say about if you have to ask. to take a look at the full press blast.
Volkswagen Amarok – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ll say it once again, with feeling (aka, italics): The Volkswagen Amarok is not coming to the United States. If you want one, we’re sorry. Vee-Dub simply doesn’t think there are enough of you waiting in the wings with cash-in-hand ready to take the fateful trip down to your local dealership. And it’s probably right.
After all, the Amarok than a well-equipped and V8-powered full-size pickup truck from one of America’s three specialists in the field, and its admittedly attractive specifications probably wouldn’t mean it would be more useful to the average Joe, either. Those that really want that torquey little diesel engine (and are willing to pay for it) wouldn’t to make it worthwhile to VW.
Finally, Brazil media relations manager Gilberto dos Santos tells Inside Line that the General Pacheco manufacturing plant in Argentina is slated to be at full capacity churning out about 100,000 units annually, which is the expected demand in the markets the truck is already slated for. That said, if you’re feeling slighted, feel free to voice your opinion to your local dealer.
Best Buy is looking to save a few bucks on fuel while adding functionality to its Geek Squad fleet, so the big box store is looking to commercial vans to for an answer. The ubiquitous electronics and entertainment store is replacing some of its larger cargo vans with a fleet of 290 fuel-thrifty .
Best Buy will hand over the Transit Connect vans to GS employees responsible for delivering, installing and servicing home appliances. The Transit Connect definitely fits in with the unique look of the typical Geek Squad mobile, and the van’s side access panels will give technicians easier access to tools and diagnostic equipment.
The still new Transit Connect gets top billing here, but the bulk of Best Buy’s fleet purchase goes to the tried and true E-Series vans with a sizable order of 738 vehicles. Best Buy Fleet Manager Jason Pucely says the Ford cargo vans have smaller, more efficient engines than the vehicles they will replace, saving the global retail outlet a significant chunk of change.
We certainly don’t recommend yanking a perfectly good 1970 Toronado off the road in order to convert it into a recreational vehicle, but in the case of today’s eBay Find of the Day, we’ll give ‘em a pass. After all, it was reportedly built this way as a factory project for a retiring RV industry executive.
If you have any doubts as to the suitability of the Toronado as an RV, consider the fact that the awesome spaceship-shaped used the exact same front-wheel drive platform. In any case, this machine has only 68,000 miles, and the engine was replaced with a new short block 4,000 miles ago.
According to the owner, this RV can sleep up to four, comes with a full bathroom and shower and a kitchen with stove and fridge. There are also a spattering of roof-mounted skylights for stargazing under those beautiful rural night skies. Want it? There are still a few more days left on the auction, or you can end it right now for $15,000. Happy bidding! Thanks for the tip, Bill M!
Kia Forte EcoDynamics LPI Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery
When unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the company claimed its new badge would begin to appear on U.S.-bound models soon. In fact, Kia promised that its eco-friendly moniker would be attached to several models sold worldwide. Now, Orth Hedrick, director-product planning at Kia Motors America, tells Ward’s Auto that the company has nixed plans to introduce the in the U.S. Hedrick cited cost issues as the primary reason for the company’s reversal, stating:
The issue is it’s yet another brand. And given the fact we’re trying to allocate our resources to other areas that make the most sense, does it make sense to introduce another brand out there?
The U.S. automotive market, in its still-depressed state, simply cannot support additional brands. The Detroit Three have pared down by axing , , and , so Kia’s move to drop EcoDynamics fits the trend. Jim Hume of Phire Branding Co. says Kia’s decision makes sense. Hume told Ward’s:
My guess is that they realized the concept of EcoDynamics created not only another brand, but also created the need to educate consumers – an expensive proposition. In this particular case the delineation is tricky. Kia setting apart Earth-friendly vehicles via a sub-brand may have taken away from any Earth-friendly story in Kia-branded vehicles. It is better to highlight everything Kia is doing under one strong brand umbrella.
Though the EcoDynamics badge will not adorn Kia’s U.S.-bound models, the fuel-saving innovations and other elements that were to be featured under the new sub-brand are already appearing on some Kia models headed to dealerships across the nation.
This might be one of the coolest things we’ve ever seen… this year. There are hundreds of videos floating around the ‘net of people drifting their hotted-up , or around race tracks, public roads and abandoned airports, but this driver earns some extra bonus points for pulling it off in a vintage E-Class. Diesel. Wagon.
As if you needed more reason to click through the jump and in its nearly seven-minute entirety, know that this driver not only has good taste in drift cars, but he has some serious skills to boot. Now, if we could only see this video remade starring the … Hat tip to Anders!
The GT Channel crew have snagged a handful of shots of a widebody being built for an unknown venue, and while it could just be an elaborate show car for this January’s Tokyo Auto Salon, it’s possible is prepping the CR-Z for a run in Japan’s SuperGT touring car series.
With one of the Honda HSV-010 teams holding down second place in the GT500 class this season, HoMoCo could be looking to capitalize off its success – and the popularity of the hybrid hatch in Japan – by fielding a CR-Z is the GT300 class. The engine and chassis restrictions are less rigid compared to the top-tier SuperGT racers, so the (or V8?) shown in the gallery below is a-okay with JAF (the regulating body behind SuperGT) – even with a set of turbos.
If the build is taking place now (check the coming out of the autoclave), Honda or one of its racing affiliates is likely to start testing the CR-Z racer this fall before the new season kicks off in March of 2011.
Jack Pitney, BMW’s North American vice president of marketing was killed today in a tragic accident while vacationing on his farm.
Pitney, 47, had been with since 1995, when he joined the German automaker to head its corporate communications operations. Influential in bringing the Mini brand to the U.S., he was its first boss in this market from 2001-2005. More recently, he was the point man for helping BMW secure a partnership with the U.S. Olympic Committee (see photo above). Pitney was tipped to become VP of BMW’s eastern region on September 1.
Our condolences go out to Pitney’s family, friends and colleagues. Official press release from BMW after the jump.
: Jack Pitney, BMW North America marketing VP, dead at 47
Lotus Evora S and Evora IPS – Click above for high-res image gallery
Not long after accidentally to unveil two new at this year’s , we now have the full details weeks before the dynamic duo make their public debut. The Evora S and IPS (which stands for “Intelligent Precision Shift” or “automatic transmission” in layman’s terms) will nicely fill out the Evora range, and we’re aching to get our hands on the former.
For the Evora S, Lotus has tweaked the Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V6 to produce 345 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque – gains of 69 hp and 37 lb-ft over the standard car. The run from 0-60 happens in just 4.8 seconds and top speed has been raised to 172 miles per hour. What’s more, the Evora S comes standard with a sport button that allows the driver to control the throttle response and activate an exhaust bypass valve. On top of that, pressing the magic switch increases the rev limiter and changes the stability control settings, and we imagine that the end result is more than pulse-quickening.
On the tamer side of things, Lotus is also offering the Evora IPS with its new six-speed automatic transmission, featuring both fully automatic and manual shift modes. The two-pedal Evora uses paddle shifters to control gear selection, and buttons are housed on the center console to switch between the standard PRND drive modes. Power has not been changed for the Evora IPS, and thankfully, Lotus has managed to develop a slushbox that doesn’t add any weight to the Evora. After all, lightness is key.
We anticipate a full raft of high-resolution photos to be released closer to the official Paris show debut, but for now, scroll through the small gallery below and follow the jump to read the official release from Lotus.
Todd Schnitt with his ChevroletCorvette ZR1 – Click above for high-res image gallery
In what may be the ultimate experience for the ultimate fan, is allowing buyers of the ultimate versions of its sportscars the opportunity to . It’s… ultimate, and it’s called the Corvette Engine Build Experience. The first person to take The General up on its offer is Tampa, Florida-based radio talk show host Todd Schnitt.
Total cost for the experience rings in at $5,800 (plus travel to Detroit), but Schnitt doesn’t seem to mind shelling out a few extra greenbacks: “To build my own engine is over the top,” said Schnitt. “When my dealer told me about the option, it was like ‘Of course, I’ll do it, sign me up!’. I can’t wait to get there and build my own LS9. It will be the ultimate personalization for my car. I’m anticipating it being one of the coolest things I’ve done in my life.”
Reading between the lines a little bit, it’s obvious that Schnitt is something of a GM super fan. This is the third ZR1 he’s purchased in as many years, and he bought a Z06 in ‘07. He’s also attended GM’s high performance driving school and traveled to the National Corvette Museum to pick up a previous ‘Vette. Oh, and his daily driver is a 2010 Cadillac CTS-V.
Feel free to for all the details and a video of the process, and be sure to check out our high-res image gallery below to see what it takes to screw together a supercharged LS9 engine from GM.
Even though won’t be offering a gasoline-powered version of its exclamatory little city car here in the United States, we’re still slated to get its E-Up! electric counterpart. Earlier reports stated that a larger version of the E-Up! as early as 2013, and we now have spy shots of a pair of Up! prototypes out testing in the Death Valley heat.
Our keen-eyed spy photographers pointed out that while these two prototypes appear to be very similar, the one with its grille closed off could actually be the all-electric E-Up! model. Thus, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more spy shots of the VW prototypes as they go through their hot weather testing. For now, have a look at these initial spy shots for yourself in our high-res gallery below.
Brabus iBusiness – Click above for high-res image gallery
The folks at have always been known for fitting ridiculously high-powered engines into the full line of vehicles, but this new creation has more than just staggering performance to offer. The latest products from Apple, including the iPad, have all been integrated into a Mercedes-Benz to create the Brabus iBusiness. Not only does it promise to be exciting to drive, but the rear passenger compartment is fitted with enough tech to make an Apple junkie’s head explode. John NeffSteve Jobs, your stupid-fast luxury sedan has arrived.
Under the hood, Brabus has shoehorned in a twin-turbocharged 6.3-liter V12 that produces 750 horsepower and 995 pound-feet of torque, though the torque output has been electronically limited to only (only!) 811 lb-ft. Hitting 62 miles per hour takes just four seconds, and with your pedal pressed firmly to the floor, you’ll hit 211 mph when all is said and done. Power is routed to the rear wheels by a five-speed automatic transmission and Brabus offers a custom limited-slip differential to maximize overall traction. It’s staggeringly quick, this iBusiness.
The most unique thing about this car, however, is its interior – mainly, the rear accommodations. In addition to the cushy leather seats and Alcantara headliner, the rear compartment is stocked with two Apple iPads, two seat-mounted multimedia screens, a 64GB iPod Touch and a 15.2-inch headliner-mounted Mac display. Not only can these products be used for personal use, but the two iPads also control the car’s Command system, encompassing the radio, navigation and telephone systems. The whole Apple setup is powered by an ultra-small Mac Mini in the trunk that is housed in an electronically deployed drawer.
We think we’ve found our new mobile office.
Hit the jump to read the whole list of details in Brabus’ press release, and scroll through the high-res photos below to see the iBusiness for yourself.
2005-2008 Toyota Corolla/Matrix – Click above for high-res image gallery
has been in the hot seat this year for its high-volume safety recalls, has issued yet another action that covers its 2005-2008 model year sedans and hatchbacks. Approximately 1.13 million vehicles are affected by a problem which could cause the 1ZZ-FE 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine to stall. Three accidents have been reported thus far, though Toyota hasn’t confirmed that these incidents were indeed caused by this engine stalling issue.
To fix this problem, Toyota will replace the engine control modules on the recalled vehicles starting in mid-September. Owners will be notified by mail in the coming weeks and the service will be provided at no charge.
This is not the first time this year that the Corolla and Matrix have been the subject of safety issues. In early 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigated almost 750,000 2009 and 2010 model year vehicles for , and Toyota provided a free fix for customers. An official recall was not issued, though, as Toyota maintains that this problem is not a safety concern.
Follow the jump to read Toyota’s official press release.
*UPDATE: We mustn’t forget that the is built on the same architecture as the Corolla/Matrix, and has just issued a press release (available ) stating that certain 2005-2008 model year Vibes are being recalled for this same issue.
The internets are aflame with word that will unveil a new hatchback at this year’s Paris Motor Show. According to Go Auto, the concept was worked up by none other than The General’s Down Under contingent at Holden. Now, before you start hoping for a more functional version of the Chevrolet Cruze to show up in a showroom near you, know that the production version of the car will be built in Australia and sold to, you guessed it, Australians. Chances are looking slim that the long-roof Cruze will ever make it to the Land of the Free in any official capacity.
Shucks.
GM has made it clear that it will debut no less than four new models in Paris, including production versions of the and Chevrolet Orlando. While the Orlando is another piece of forbidden fruit from the General, buyers in the U.S. can look forward to getting their hands on the -fighting Aveo sometime soon. From what we’ve seen of the new subcompact, the car looks galaxies better than the outgoing model – of course, that’s not hard…
Chevrolet Suburban 75th Anniversary Event – Click above for high-res image gallery
Quick, what’s the longest-running nameplate in the car business?
If you said Honda Civic, you deserve to be smacked upside the head with a four-inch exhaust tip – it’s merely 37 model years old. The vehicle we’re talking about is positively prehistoric by comparison. The Porsche 911? Wrong again, as it only predates the Civic by a decade. You’re getting closer if you said the Ford F-Series, but still, FoMoCo didn’t launch its best-selling pickup until 1948.
You’ve got to go all the way back to 1935 for the launch of the auto industry’s Methuselah, the Chevrolet Suburban. That makes 2010 the 75th anniversary of the full-size SUV archetype. To celebrate, Chevy opened its vault on one of the Dog Days of August to let journalists drive a handful of vintage models.
It was something of a belated party, as GM stopped building 2010 model year Suburbans in June, including the special Diamond Edition model. But we’re not going to complain about being given the opportunity to get seat time in eight of the ten historic “Caryall” generations. Model years 1936, 1946, 1951, 1966, 1972, 1990, 1999 and 2002 were on hand, most thanks to GM’s Heritage Center.
We decided that the only proper way to approach the task was to drive back in history. This served well to highlight not just how much the Suburban has changed in recent model years, but how much the auto industry has evolved since the pre-war era. But it also showed how consistent the Suburban has been over all these years, offering eight-passenger capability in a roomy wagon body mounted on a heavy truck frame since its inception. History has shown this formula’s a winner; Chevy estimates it has built between 2.25-2.4 million Suburbans in total.
for a taste of our experience driving the Suburban back in time to its beginning.
2011 Nissan Juke – Click above for high-res image gallery
Remember the of the mid-’90s? The tiny, econobox-based sportster was as cute as a bug and spent its brief lifespan mixing it up with other long-gone, sporty front-wheel drive affordables like the Mazda MX-3, Honda Civic CRX, Toyota Paseo and even the Hyundai Scoupe. While there were a lot of inexpensive, racy looking coupes back then, most automakers just don’t see any money in that segment anymore. Instead, when they look to spin something off of their entry-level B-class chassis, most veer toward the white-hot crossover segment.
Consider the latest example, Nissan’s 2011 Juke. Come to think of it, this in-your-face city slicker has some startling similarities to the NX. For one, at 162.8 inches long, it’s deceptively small – just 0.4 inches longer than the ’90s coupe. Further, both the Juke and the NX1600 rely on 1.6-liter four-cylinder power. And like the Sentra-based NX, the more emotional Juke is based on the same humble underpinnings that give structure to Nissan’s workaday offerings, in this case, the and . And while the Juke may not be cute as a bug, there’s something downright insectian about its Predator-like mug.
Despite not being a traditional sporty car, has been talking up its controversially styled mini-ute with many of the same descriptors, so we hopped a plane to Vancouver to see if the Juke could bob and weave its way into our hearts. to find out how it fared.
2011 Toyota Highlander – Click above for high-res image gallery
Right on cue, has debuted the at this year’s . As we first , the refreshed crossover now wears a slightly reworked nose, complete with hood, front fenders, fascia, grille and headlights as well as a mildly massaged rear end. Look for new taillights and a new bumper cover to help differentiate the 2011’s rump from its predecessors. Buyers in the motherland can look forward to a single engine – a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 delivering 273 horsepower through a five-speed automatic transmission.
Can we expect a similar treatment when the 2011 Highlander hits our shores? Perhaps. We’re currently awaiting a response from Toyota as to whether this is the face of things to come for the U.S.-spec CUV, but we’d be surprised if our version was terribly different from what you see above, as the Highlander is only built in three factories – China, Japan, and Indiana, making a Russia-specific model unlikely. Chances are that our Highlander will continue to soldier on with the same engine choices available right now. That means that buyers can have their choice between a 3.5-liter V6 with 270 horsepower, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower or a hybrid drivetrain.
Translogic Episode 5.4 – Click above to watch video
One of the last big technical questions about the is how much gasoline it will consume when the engine starts up to sustain the charge of the battery. Since the beginning of the development program back in 2007, has remained extremely reluctant to discuss details about the Volt’s fuel efficiency, but a few days ago, the world got its first hint from an outsider.
Previous media drives with the Volt were done with 65 percent calibration level prototypes and we didn’t get to see any of the mileage data on the displays. A team from our sister publication, , recently tried out a newer pilot production car at GM’s Milford Proving Ground during a video shoot. Once they ran the battery down, the car continued for another 16.1 miles and apparently used 0.59 gallons of fuel for an average of just 27.3 miles per gallon. Needless to say, that’s nowhere near the 50+ mpg that had been surmised from the big a year ago. Read on for an analysis of what the video crew experienced, as well as the video itself.
Despite plenty of data that shows that drinking and driving leads to the deaths of thousands of motorists each year, consuming alcohol and getting behind the wheel is still a big problem in America. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that eight percent of Americans admit to drinking and driving at least once in the past year. That’s about 17 million drivers. A quarter of all respondents say they have gotten behind the wheel within two hours of having one or more alcoholic beverages.
To help combat this growing problem, NHTSA is launching its annual Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. campaign. The campaign will be supported by $13 million in NHTSA-supplied ads and a big time crackdown by local law enforcement leading up to the Labor Day weekend. NHTSA chief Ray LaHood underscores the fact that drinking and driving is still a genuine threat to drivers everywhere, adding, “We are going to continue doing all that we can to stop drunk driving and the needless tragedies that result from this reckless behavior.”
Perhaps the most disturbing trend involves 16-20 year-old drivers. While most weren’t inclined to admit to drinking and driving, the ones who did fess up often admitted to consuming six or more alcoholic beverages in one setting. That’s obviously not a good trend, and NHTSA says that its data shows that people who drink more tend to drink and drive more. to read a very sobering NHTSA press release.
