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While Hyundai has yet to unveil a wagon derivative of its Sonata/i40 family sedan, copious spy shots have been captured while the car has been undergoing testing around the globe. The load-lugging Korean is a lock for Europe and will doubtlessly surface in other markets, but to date, there has been no word as to whether the wagon will haul itself into U.S. showrooms.

While there’s still no official word from Hyundai, Autoblog has learned that American executives definitely want the car and are working to build a business case for it. Further, according to our source:

“We can’t comment on future product plans. But we certainly are aware of the upsurge in popularity of well-executed wagons, especially in markets like Europe where consumers demand the high degrees of versatility and fuel economy that wagons deliver. The Elantra Touring has been a terrific addition to our lineup and is a huge hit with its customers. A great wagon can bring in incremental customers who otherwise might not consider a given brand’s sedan.”

Despite Volvo and Subaru recently giving up the U.S. wagon segment in favor of lifted, more crossover-like two-boxers, we still see a clear area of opportunity for a large, stylish and fuel-efficient wagon. As we’ve recently proven, hatchbacks and wagons sell in better numbers than many automakers would seem to give the bodystyles credit for, and we suspect that with the new Sonata’s rocket-like sales trajectory, adding a second format would help them close the gap with their Japanese rivals. And while we’d love to see an affordable base model, the smart money suggests that Hyundai would have a better chance of profiting from a Sonata wagon if it were to launch with a single, higher-margin upscale model – a loaded 2.0-liter turbo, say.

What do you think – should Hyundai sell a Sonata wagon in the States? Vote in our poll below and then leave your thoughts in Comments.

View Poll

[Images: CarPix]

Hyundai of America wants a Sonata Wagon… do you? [w/poll]

What Happens To Mazda Without Ford?

Barring a last-minute hitch, it looks like Ford and Mazda will soon be severing the ties that have bound them for the last four decades. Though the U.S. maker has yet to issue a formal confirmation, it’s negotiating a deal that would have it sell off most or all of the remaining 11 percent stake it holds in its Japanese affiliate.

No, it isn’t a bitter divorce. Ford and Mazda will likely still maintain some ties – in Thailand, for example, where their suburban Bangkok plant has just begun producing an all-new generation of compact pickup trucks, including the Ford Ranger. But the two makers are already unwinding their manufacturing alliance in booming China.

And, perhaps most importantly, they’ll likely curb future product development programs that helped both companies squeak through the hard times of the not-too-distant past. One of the earliest examples of that alliance was the old Ford Escort, the U.S. maker’s first attempt to build a so-called “world car.”

More recent examples include the B-car platform that eventually went on to become both the Ford Fiesta and Mazda2. Conventional wisdom is that these are virtually identical subcompacts – but as I was reminded during back-to-back drives this past week, there’s a surprising amount of difference between the American and Japanese production vehicles. Though they may have started out working together, the two companies soon branched off, yielding some surprisingly different results in terms of design and, more importantly, driving dynamics.

Continue reading…

Continue reading TheDetroitBureau.com on Autoblog with Paul Eisenstein

TheDetroitBureau.com on Autoblog with Paul Eisenstein

The Automotive Recyclers Association is ready to go to war with Honda and Hyundai. Why? The ARA claims that the automakers warn against the use of recycled auto parts, saying that the use of these components will void vehicle warranties. The ARA filed an official letter of complaint with the Federal Trade Commission saying that the actions of the automakers fly in the face of the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975, which was enacted to make warranties more straightforward.

Recycled auto parts have been in wide use for decades, and the ARA says that the use of these gently used components is a $22 billion industry. Further, those recycled parts are not of the aftermarket variety; they’re simply OEM parts that are re-applied after the donor vehicle goes out of service. The ARA goes on to say that the automakers have presented no clear evidence that shows why these components aren’t acceptable for use in repairs.

So if recycled parts originate from the OEM, are environmentally friendly, are cheaper for the customer and are fully warrantied by the recyclers, then why are Honda and Hyundai warning against their use? The ARA feels the reason is money. If Honda and Hyundai insist that their brand new parts are used, the companies bring in more revenue.

Of course the views of the ARA represent but one side of this story, so it will be interesting to see if the FTC will rule on this matter.

[Source: ABRN Image Source: Theo Heimann/Getty]

Honda, Hyundai issue anti-used-parts memos, junkyards object

Could you imagine McLaren making a supercar and not racing it? Of course not. Even though the Woking, England-based outfit might have envisioned the original McLaren F1 purely as a road car, history naturally had different plans for it – and with spectacular results. So we were hardly surprised back in March when reports began coming in that The House That Bruce Built was planning a competition version of the new MP4-12C.

As was the case with the F1 and indicated by those earlier reports, McLaren’s plans, according to AutoWeek, involves teaming up with independent racing garages to turn its road car into a racer. In this case, that firm is said to be CRS, a British outfit that’s racked up a considerable number of victories in GT and open-wheel racing. But CRS will hardly be going it alone. Reports have McLaren’s own people working on the design to be implemented by the outfit.

Lest you think there will only be a handful of MP4-12C competition cars on select tracks, reports have CRS building a fleet of some fifteen GT3-spec versions and another batch of GT2 machines that could find their way to Le Mans by 2013.

[Sources: AutoWeek, JonSibal]

Report: McLaren outsourcing GT2/GT3-spec MP4-12C racers

Navigon no longer makes hardware for sale in the U.S., but if you still pine for the days of the 2090S you bought from Radio Shack then they might have some software for you. The German company has released an app for Android phones (to go with its already released app for the iPhone) with a few features aimed at enhancing your journey.

Reality View Pro is meant to provide better intersection visuals, Traffic Live and red light and speed camera warnings assist with getting there quickly and without extra premiums. Google search keeps you in touch with the local action, and text-to-speech can read street names so you actually find that action.

Speaking of Google, though, since the Android OS is a Google property, most of those phones will come with Google Navigation free. If you’re looking reasons to spend $39.99 on the Navigon option, Reality View might do it – an augmented reality function that provides information overlays when you point your phone’s camera at a point of interest. The Navigon app also comes with the whole U.S. road map preloaded, so no waiting for a connection if you get thrown off course. Oh, and that $39.99 price is only for two weeks – after that it goes up to $59.99.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Navigon rolls out MobileNavigator for Android phones

Some automakers call their cars by name. Others give them alphanumeric designations. The trouble with the latter is that, if you follow a formula, sooner or later the sequence is going to either run out or repeat itself. That’s the issue that Peugeot is looking at with the next generation of its popular hatchback range.

The current model is called the 308, so it would follow logically that its successor be called the 309. After that the French automaker would have to either abandon the traditional _0_ naming scheme that identifies all its products (and the _00_ for minivans and crossovers) and dip into the _1_ range, but even before that comes up, Peugeot’s facing the issue that it already produced a model called the 309 between 1985 and 1993.

Rather than reuse the same nameplate, sources speculate that Peugeot could go for a name designation like it did with the RCZ coupe. The formula would likely follow across the range, leaving sister-company Citroën to stick with its alphanumeric C_ and DS_ naming scheme.

[Source: Autobild via World Car Fans]

Peugeot to ditch numbered nameplates for actual names?

Today’s word from the audio dictionary is “Bellow,” one of whose verb forms is defined as “a loud deep sound, as of pain or anger.” We’re going to be on the side of angry today.

But you can’t really understand those words until you watch, and listen to, the latest video of an Aston Martin One-77 (the infamous Dirty Shirley, perhaps?) testing its chops and its pipes at the Nürburgring. Along the way it runs down other ‘Ring runners like an R8 and a Ford Focus, but it’s likely all they registered was a blur and a bawl. Perhaps even a bellow, if you will. Follow the jump for the aural treat.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Aston Martin One-77 hits the ‘Ring again, makes some stupendous noise

Video: Aston Martin One-77 hits the ‘Ring again, makes some stupendous noise

Here’s a match made in heaven. According to The Deadline, NBC is currently hard at work on a reality TV series focused on the inner workings of a NASCAR family. While we likely won’t be pointing our remotes toward the Peacock because of the news, the show does pack some pretty serious talent behind it. Joe Pokaski, of Heroes writer-producer fame, and Scott Stuber are behind the project. The show will supposedly revolve around a pair of racing brothers with very different styles that race for the same team. The show will also spend plenty of time on behind-the-scenes family drama, too.

Sounds riveting.

NBC is currently doing its best to secure rights for everything from tracks to sponsor logos and even the NASCAR name itself. The show wants to use in-race footage as well. Given the recent decline in attendance at stock car races these days as well as NBC’s lackluster fall lineup, the show could be a boon for both. There’s even some word that Stuber, a Universal producer, is trying to get the OK for a full-length feature directed by Gary Ross. So far there’s no word on when the show could hit the air.

[Source: The Deadline, Inside Line]

NBC working up NASCAR drama called The Crew?

Remember that viral video of the BMW S1000RR superbike pulling off the old tablecloth trick? Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, better known as the Mythbusters, took a liking to the clip and decided it needed to be put to the test.

The premise is simple: Can a near-200-horsepower motorcycle muster up enough acceleration from a dead stop to pull the tablecloth from under 24 full place settings without sending them all toppling to the ground? And if not, what would it require to make that feat a reality? 100 mph and a quarter-mile of rope?

Instead of using the German machine, Jamie pressed his very own Erik Buell Racing 1125R. No worries about whether or not this bike is powerful enough for the test… it is. And then again, it isn’t. You’ll just have to click on past the break for the three-part video series to see what we mean. Oh, and feel free to fast forward through the parts you care less about, though it’s all pretty interesting to us.

[Source: Muthbusters, YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Mythbusters put the motorcycle tablecloth trick to the test

Video: Mythbusters put the motorcycle tablecloth trick to the test

Volkswagen has announced that the 2011 Jetta will make the ‘trip’ to its homeland next year and will start at €20,900 ($28,941 U.S.) in Germany. Promising to inject “a new dimension of quality to the saloons of the compact class,” that opening gambit price will get you the 103-horsepower, 1.2 TSI model in Trendline trim. Big spenders can get in at the top of the pile by choosing the Highline trim with the 2.0 TDI DSG for €29,950 ($41,473 U.S.).

Trendline is the lowest of three trims on offer, yet while it sits on 16-inch steel wheels the rest of the car isn’t totally spartan: climate control, heated outside mirrors, Hill Climb Assist and trailer stabilization. Next up is Comfortline, starting at €22,600 ($31,296 U.S.) with the same 1.2-liter engine, and adding chrome accents up front and 16-inch, five-spoke Mambo alloys, plus 8-way seats, an upgraded stereo, leather trimming on the steering wheel, gearshift knob and parking brake, and Park Pilot. The top tier is called Highline, and that starts at €24,575 ($34,031 U.S.) with a 120-hp, 1.4-liter TSI. It gets 17-inch, ten-spoke Porto wheels, more chrome, fog lights and a headlight cleaning system.

Five engines are available throughout, three gas and two diesels, all of which can be paired with either a manual or DSG dual clutch transmission except for the 103-hp 1.2-liter gas. VW is also touting its BlueMotion Technology (BMT) tech available on one of the gas and two of the diesel lumps, such as the 1.6 TDI BMT that sips 4.2 l/100 km, or 56 miles per gallon in U.S. parlance. You’ll find all the info on the Euro-spec Jettas in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading New Volkswagen Jetta headed to Europe

New Volkswagen Jetta headed to Europe

Entry-level sport bike riders look to get another solid choice for 2011 in the form of the new Honda CBR250R. Naturally, it’s most direct competitor is the Kawasaki Ninja 250, and the two match up pretty well, at least on paper.

Maximum horsepower for the single-cylinder CBR250R’s quarter-liter mill is 26 ponies at 8,500 rpm. Yes, that’s a little behind the Kawi’s 32 hp, but the Honda critically has more torque at 17 pound-feet and weighs 359 pounds (368 lbs with optional ABS!), which is a non-trivial 14 pounds less than the Ninja.

We’re also pretty keen on the littlest CBR’s (littlest in America, at least) styling and color scheme. We think the multi-tiered styling language that debuted on the latest VFR is better suited to smaller packages like the CBR250R, and the red, white and blue color palette is vintage Honda and, though it’s not currently on the U.S. options list, certainly appropriate for the American market.

And yes, the new CBR250R is headed Stateside. Check out our high-res image gallery below and hit the jump for a video. And Honda, please rethink the omission of the red, white and blue. Trust us.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda announces CBR250R, and it’s coming to America

Honda announces CBR250R, and it’s coming to America

Red Bull has put Sebastian Vettel into Gran Turismo 5’s virtual cockpit of the Red Bull X1 prototype, and the results are predictably smashing. After taking roughly 19 seconds off his time around the Suzuka track, Vettel in his own words takes another 20 seconds off his best lap at the ‘Ring’s GP course his first time out. It looks like a handful in the beginning – he uses all the runoff while coming to grip with the car’s grip and 400 km/hr top speed – but when he gets the hang of it, ah yes…

Forget about GT5. Build. This. Car. Follow the jump for the action and check out our high-res gallery below.

[Source: YouTube via GTPlanet]

Continue reading Video: What the Red Bull X1 will look like in GT5… if GT5 ever comes out

Video: What the Red Bull X1 will look like in GT5… if GT5 ever comes out

From the likes of the Dodge EV to the Ford Cortina, Lotus has had its fingers in all of the Big Three’s pies. But its strongest relationship has historically been with General Motors. The British engineering firm helped develop the engine in the original Corvette ZR-1, engineered the Vauxhall VX220/Opel Speedster, re-engineered the Vauxhall Carlton into ones of its own, and has undertaken a variety of projects for the General over the years. Now the latest reports have Lotus teaming up with GM’s European subsidiaries for a new hot hatch.

Much as it did with the outgoing Vauxhall Astra VXR, Lotus is reportedly hard at work tuning the chassis on the next generation of the model. Previewed by the GTC concept at the Paris Motor Show, the new Astra VXR is tipped to ditch the current model’s electronic differential for a more traditional mechanical one. The engine is rumored to produce in the neighborhood of 280-300 horsepower, with Lotus reportedly brought in to help minimize the torque steer inevitable with that much power channeled through the front wheels.

The Hyperstrut front suspension set-up developed for the Insignia VXR is tipped to port over to the smaller hatchback, expected to hit European markets towards the end of next year to do battle with the likes of the Ford Focus RS and Volkswagen Golf R. We can only hope that GM finds space in the lineup of one of its remaining brands to bring the new Astra VXR to American shores.

[Source: Autocar]

Lotus reportedly brought in for chassis work on new Vauxhall Astra VXR

It seems rather incongruous with the overall mission statement of the Toyota Prius, but the Japanese automaker’s UK division has gone ahead and created a somewhat more sinister version of the hybrid hatchback all the same. It’s meant to celebrate the Prius’ 10-year anniversary in the UK and will be limited to just 1,000 examples for £26,150 apiece.

That’s right, Jeremy Clarkson’s favorite car (just so long as Cameron Diaz is driving, of course) is now available across the pond with a full body kit that includes front, rear and side skits along with 17-inch smoked-finish alloy wheels. Topping off the darker theme is dark-tinted privacy glass.

Want to more? (Really?) Feel free to peruse a couple of high-res shots below and click on past the break for the press release.

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota launches most sinister Prius model yet – “Generation X”

Corvette engineers working on their own time have come up with a protective coat for the ZR1’s carbon fiber weave. The sun’s UV rays normally work their destructive magic on carbon weave, so Mark Voss, the ZR1’s senior design engineer got together with his after-hours team to come up with a coating that would fulfill Chevrolet customer demands. Check out the process itself in the video and presser after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Video: Corvette engineers create ZR1 sunscreen?

Video: Corvette engineers create ZR1 sunscreen?

2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T – click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai’s eagerly anticipated Sonata 2.0T model has just begun hitting U.S. showrooms, but a small quality issue that cropped up in the first batch of cars is causing some consternation. Conversations have been popping up on internet forums about the issue, and there has been some confusion as to the nature of the problem as well as questions about whether or not a stop-sale has been ordered by the company.

A small rubber hose that feeds oil to the turbo unit in very early 2011 Sonata Turbo models was apparently built to the wrong specification and needs replacement. According to a few user forum reports, some dealers haven’t been allowing customers to test drive the vehicles until the correct part has been fitted. Additionally, at least one of the first 2.0T owners informed Autoblog that his dealer actually flat-bedded his car back for service. However, Hyundai officials tell Autoblog that this issue affects very few units, and they want to make it clear that no stop-sale has been issued.

Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore:

“In about 30 cases, we had to get with customers who already had their cars. We’re using the new hose in production and have finished retrofitting those that were built but not sold. We asked dealers to replace the hose before delivery but didn’t issue a stop sale. No lost sales, no big disruption, the customer comes first – that’s business as usual for Hyundai.

Hyundai says it only sold around 30 units before the hose problem was discovered, and the company has only built around 1,000 units in total, most of which are still in transit to dealers. All new Sonata turbos rolling off of assembly lines are being fitted with the new part, and all new models sold will have the correct hose installed.

Hyundai’s Sonata line has been an extremely strong seller since its introduction earlier this year, quickly moving the Korean automaker into third place in the hotly contested family sedan segment. However, the Sonata has also suffered some early teething problems, including the recall of 1,300 units over a possible door latch malfunction in March and the recall of 139,500 units over steering problems in late October. Hat tip to Nic!

Photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL

Hyundai moves to fix early 2011 Sonata Turbo hose issue

Mitsubishi will be launching its all-electric i-MiEV in the United States next year, though it will be substantially updated from the current model sold overseas. In addition to a slightly wider shape, we can expect better interior amenities with more creature comforts and a higher level of fit and finish.

We’ve stumbled upon one of Mitsubishi’s business plan presentations on the automaker’s global corporate site, and therein lies two renderings of what the upgraded U.S.-spec car might look like. It appears that the too-cute bubbly proportions of the current i-MiEV will remain intact, albeit with a much more aggressive front fascia and wider track. As we noted in our review of a JDM-spec i-MiEV, added width would indeed make the diminutive hatch feel more planted on the road, and while we rather like the design of the current car, the revised styling is sure to be more attractive to the vast majority of U.S. shoppers.

Look for the production U.S.-spec i-MiEV to debut sometime next year. Mitsubishi is still targeting a price of under $30,000 (not including government incentives) when the car hits dealerships at the end of 2011. Hat tip to Ryan!

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Are you the U.S. widebody Mitsubishi i-MiEV?

Some folks don’t have the time to sit around and wait for Terrafugia to produce a flying car. Steve Saint is a missionary and the head of I-TEC, a non-profit company that provides technology and training to the indigenous Waodani Indians of Ecuador. He needed a way to get in and out of remote Amazon areas, and a flying car would certainly do the job. Saint decided to build one himself, and it just received FAA Certification.

The car, called Maverick, is a buggy of sorts that is powered by a 250-horsepower Subaru engine. The car is light, so that’s enough power to propel it from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds. When Saint wants to take to the air, he raises a 25 foot mast that locks a parachute in place, then he flips one switch, which connects the engine to the large propeller at the rear of the vehicle. The Maverick is now ready to soar through the sky.

Saint may use the Maverick to assist the Waodani tribe, but he insists that there are many other uses for flying cars, and that they could prove to be a useful tool for a wide range of commercial applications. I-TEC believes it can built around 100 cars per year and that they should cost around $80,000.

Engage your mast and parachute to fly over the jump and check out the Maverick in action.

[Source: CNN]

Continue reading Video: FAA certifies missionary’s Subaru-powered flying car

Video: FAA certifies missionary’s Subaru-powered flying car

Chrysler has just dropped details on the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. Along with packing the company’s new Pentastar V6 under the hood, Dodge says that the minivan also sports a significantly revised suspension designed to make the vehicle a little more engaging to drive. So far we haven’t been told exactly what’s been changed underneath, but the press release says that “virtually every system” has received some sort of tweaking.

Behind the new 3.6-liter V6 sits a six-speed automatic transmission, and that duo effectively replaces all three of the previously offered drivetrains. Look for 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque when the van hits the road later this year.

But the biggest change looks to come from the styling department. Chrysler has heaped all of the company’s new found enthusiasm for excellent interiors onto the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan, swaddling surfaces in top-notch materials, better seats and throwing in redesigned gauges, to boot. The Grand Caravan even wears a massaged front fascia to go along with all of the changes inside as well as a set of LED taillamps out back. Hit the jump to take a look at the full press release.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan reports for family duty

Officially Official: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan reports for family duty

How would you take your 2012 Ford Focus? The time to decide is at hand because Ford has just turned on the Focus configurator. The compact car comes in two flavors; sedan and hatchback, with the sedan receiving one lower trim in the form of the base S model. The sedan starts at $16,270 and the base SE hatchback is priced at $18,065.

If it were our money, we would start with the 2012 Ford Focus SE hatchback and build from there. This way we get to choose the five-speed manual gearbox. Throw in the Rapid Spec 203A option package, a moonroof, the SE Sport Package for a slightly more aggressive look and then paint it Kona Blue Metallic. What’s yours look like? Go build your 2012 Ford Focus over at Ford’s configurator. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: Ford]

2012 Ford Focus configurator comes online