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Our trusty spy photographers have captured the next-generation Ford Ranger out testing several times now, but speculation continues to swirl over whether or not this trucklet will be available for U.S. consumption. After all, there’s been talk of a more entry-level F-150 that would sort of fill the void of not having a dedicated Ranger replacement, but Ford has never ruled out the possibility of an all-new small pickup.

While talking about the new 2011 Explorer on CNBC’s Squawk Box this morning, Ford’s president and CEO, Alan Mulally, appears to have unintentionally confirmed a new Ranger for North America. While discussing the whole lineup of Stateside Ford products, Mulally specifically says “new Ranger,” which leads us to believe that all of these test mules we’ve seen might not just be for our overseas friends (something that we’ve been wondering about anyhow, as we’ve seen more Stateside evaluations of this ‘overseas’ truck than any other foreign market vehicle in recent memory). No, Mulally doesn’t come right out and say that an all-new Ranger is headed our way, but we’ve continued to hear scuttlebutt about just such a truck from our sources, and given that his remarks were otherwise confined to North American products, we’re beginning to think that a new Ranger is all but confirmed.

To see what we’re on about, follow the jump to watch the CNBC interview, and pay close attention beginning around the five-minute mark for Mulally’s Ranger remark. A big ol’ tip of the cap to Dan!

[Source: CNBC]

Continue reading Video: Mulally unwittingly confirms next-gen Ford Ranger for U.S. market?

Video: Mulally unwittingly confirms next-gen Ford Ranger for U.S. market?

After reviewing this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in the previous episode of the Corvette Racing video series, the latest installment looks at the off-track activities that preceded the race. Once the cars and drivers have established their place on the starting grid, they’re able to take a short break from competition to interact with the fans – especially the rabid Danish crowd that showed up to cheer on Jan Magnussen. Judging from the narration, you’d think that eight overall victories at the Circuit de la Sarthe aren’t enough for Tom Kristensen to gain any attention from his countrymen. (If you’ve seen Truth in 24, however, you know full well that the Danes treat TK like a rock star, too.)

Apparently the narrator missed the memo from the marketing department about referring to Chevrolet as Chevy. Rather than vuvuzelas, Le Mans fans prefer to express their enthusiasm using air horns, so the Corvette crew brought a very special one of their own this year. Wanna see? Then check out video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Corvette Racing Episode 7 – Le Mans pre-race activities

Video: Corvette Racing Episode 7 – Le Mans pre-race activities

We revel in watching someone get their wits scared out of them in the passenger seat of a car. It’s why we take the time to watch Subaru’s slew of new ads for the 2011 WRX STI sedan any time we’re feeling down. It would appear that we’re in good company. During filming of a somewhat recent episode of the UK’s Fifth Gear, Tiff Needell was charged with scooting the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet around the show’s test course with Jason Plato in the passenger seat. Based on the outtakes, it looks as if it took a few tries to get Plato around the course without a profusion of expletives.

It’s no secret that Needell is one of the hottest shoes around when it comes to coaxing big speed from a vehicle. With a racing resume packed with references to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula One, the guy could run the wheels off a shopping cart. Hit the jump to see Tiff make Plato hold on for dear life. Thanks for the tip, Brad!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Fifth Gear Follies – Tiff puts a scare into Jason aboard Porsche 911 Turbo

Video: Fifth Gear Follies – Tiff puts a scare into Jason aboard Porsche 911 Turbo

How does one make the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class more exclusive than it already is? If you’re Mercedes, you unveil the gonzo AMG variants. Appearance-wise, changes are minimal for the 2011 CL63 and CL65 AMG, save for the addition of Mercedes’ new corporate face, which includes the standard LED running-light strip and some small tweaks to the rear fascia. The big news, however, centers on the changes underhood.

Gone is the naturally aspirated 6.3 6.2-liter AMG V8 in favor of a smaller and more powerful 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged mill. In base form, this V8 cranks out 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque (increases of 18 and 125, respectively), and with the optional AMG Performance Package, these numbers increase to an even more robust 563 hp and 664 lb-ft. Sweet stuff, and when matched with Mercedes’ AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic, 0-60 runs will take just 4.4 seconds (4.3 if you opt for the more powerful setup). What’s most impressive, though, is that even with this added power boost, fuel consumption has been reduced by 27 percent. The range-topping CL65 AMG will carry over its 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12, though Mercedes has managed to coax an additional 17 horsepower from it for 2011. Output for the CL65 is now rated at 621 horses and 738 lb-ft of torque.

Both AMG CLs get a host new standard equipment as well. Mercedes-Benz’s Direct-Steer system is on hand, as is a new crosswind stabilization feature that alters wheel-load distribution to keep things in line during heavy breezes. From there, a new torque-vectoring brake system applies one-sided braking during instances of understeer. The full suite of Mercedes-Benz driver aids is thrown in as well, including drowsiness detection, night-view assist, active lane-keeping assist and blind-spot assist. After all, with so much power on tap, you’ll need a nanny (or several) to help keep things in line. Interior upgrades are similar to what we’ve already seen in the 2010 S-Class.

Official pricing hasn’t been released yet, but expect MSRPs to increase slightly over the 2010 models ($145,200 for the CL63 and $207,170 for the CL65). Shoppers in that tax bracket shouldn’t have any trouble shelling out a few grand extra for the latest in CL-Class exclusivity.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Twin-Turbo Temptresses: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63, CL65 AMG

Our collective blogging heart goes out to Mikko Hirvonen. It’s a shame to see a driver with galaxies worth of talent constantly banished to the lower rungs of the podium by the likes of Sebastien Loeb. Perpetually optimistic, the Finnish hoon seems to be a rarity among the racing driver species. Even in the face of repeated defeat, the guy typically keeps his cool and hopes for the best. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s content to sit back and watch Citroën continue to dominate the WRC and Hirvonen has been beating the life out of his Focus RS racer in preparation for the upcoming Finland Rally.

Fortunately for us, a video of the testing action has made its way to the YouTubes, complete with plenty of shots of the mean Blue Oval in defiance of the laws of gravity. At some point, if we’re very lucky, we just might figure out how the guy manages to get that hatch to pivot mid-air. Click past the jump to waste a little time in the best way possible.

[Source: YouTube via WebRidesTV]

Continue reading Video: Mikko Hirvonen tests WRC Ford Focus, enters low orbit

Video: Mikko Hirvonen tests WRC Ford Focus, enters low orbit

Quick Spin: 2011 Tata Nano CX – Driving the world’s cheapest car

What’s it like to drive the world’s cheapest car? We headed to Germany to try out Tata’s $2,500 Nano.

Spy Shots: Are you the next Chevrolet Aveo sedan?

It could be the Aveo sedan or it could be some other small offering from General Motors. Check out our spy shots and weigh in yourself.

Dodge releases 2010 Mopar Challenger pics

Enough with the renderings. We’ve got shots of the Mopar Challenger looking hot for 2010.

Also of interest:

• Ford to report $2.6B second-quarter profit
• 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen won’t be based on new Jetta
• Buick to expand line with coupe, convertible and wagon?
• VW shows off hotted-up 2011 Jetta at Waterfest
• Rumormill: Next Focus RS to get all-wheel drive with electric motors

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.23.10

A team of intrepid software engineers are out drive a full 8,000 miles from Italy to China in an autonomous electric van, all while going no faster than 37 mph. Talk about a road trip.

The stunt is being headed up by tech company VisLab as a real-world test of the its artificial vision and intelligence systems. So, how does one go about parading a driverless van half way around the globe? Carefully. Two engineers will be positioned in the “driverless” van, with one person behind the wheel just in case something goes fruity. Meanwhile, another two workers will pilot a lead vehicle. The autonomous van will take cues from the people-driven version, but will still rely on a camera array to detect potential obstacles and issues.

The company’s route will take the team through Moscow traffic, the frigid temperatures of the Gobi desert and the roadless realms of Siberia. If that’s not challenging enough, the vans are both all-electric, and with the advanced technology onboard, the vehicles’ batteries must be recharged for eight hours for every two to three hours of driving. The team expects to work in about four hours of driving per day. Needless to say, it’s going to take a while – the whole shindig is expected to run a full three months.

[Source: VisLab via Associated Press]

Engineers embark on driverless van odyssey from Italy to China

Those of you unenamoured of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta have an alternative if you’re still interested in procuring one of V-Dub’s entry-level runabouts.

The current SportWagen variant of the Jetta will carry on unchanged for the 2011 model year, complete with better materials, a more sophisticated rear suspension and that useful hatch.

According to TheCarConnection, the decision not to migrate the wagon over to the all-new platform of the 2011 Jetta sedan was a cost-saving measure, so it will continue to be built in Germany using the Mark V’s underpinnings.

But it’s not all wine and roses. While the gas-fed 170-hp five-cylinder and 140-hp TDI diesel four will carry over (the Reagan-era Two-Point-Slow won’t be an option), you’ll still have to deal with the somewhat cramped rear legroom of the current model, as VW has no immediate plans to utilize the new Jetta’s architecture anytime soon. However, expect a few cosmetic upgrades to happen at some point next year to bring the styling more in line with the rest of the VW lineup.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Report: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen won’t be based on new Jetta

Now here’s a curiosity. Our legion of spy photographers managed to lay their lenses on a small sedan testing with a bevy of 2011 Chevrolet Aveo hatchbacks. We aren’t exactly positive, but our best guess is this little guy is the four-door version of the bottom of the Bow Tie line. If true, this is the best look we’ve had at the Aveo sedan – save a few patent drawings – but there are a few complications with the theory.

For starters, very little of this car dovetails with what we’ve seen of the five-door. We could gloss over inconsistencies like vastly different doors, complete with incongruous handles and side view mirrors, but things get murkier when we have a look at the two cars’ lug pattern.

This new creation clearly rocks four lugs, while every other camo’d Aveo we’ve seen uses five. Chances are General Motors probably isn’t interested in using completely different spindles, rotors, wheels, etc. just for a different body style of the same vehicle. So what is it? Your guess is as good as ours.

Spy Shots: Are you the next Chevrolet Aveo sedan?

Oh so tasty. Few things on this planet push our buttons like a cleanly modified car, which is exactly why we’re still drooling over the shots of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta that VW Vortex spotted at this year’s Waterfest. Ze People’s automaker graced the crowd with one squeaky example of its new four-door, complete with a host of new look-faster parts, presumably pulled straight from the Volkswagen Accessories Catalog. Look closely and you’ll spot a smattering of aero additions, including a reworked front bumper, sculpted side skirts and similarly sexy rear fascia. The company also threw a lip spoiler on the rear deck and bolted up a set of blacked-out wheels.

As far as we know, VW didn’t lay a finger on the car’s engine bay, which means that even if the Jetta is packed with the company’s most potent turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, we’re still looking at around 200 horsepower. If it were us, we’d be hunting up an ECU reflash to eek out a few extra ponies to match the menacing looks. If you want to put your eyes on a few extra shots of the car, head on over to VW Vortex for the full monty.

[Source: VW Vortex]

VW shows off hotted-up 2011 Jetta at Waterfest

People love the idea of super-cheap transportation. Two generations ago, Volkswagen captured the world’s attention with the Beetle (known originally as “The People’s Car”), but when people finally drove the rear-engined VW, they realized it was more than just a cheap car – it was remarkably fun to drive.

India’s Tata Motors picked up on the people’s car idea several years ago. Motorbikes and pedal bikes are the go-to transportation options for millions in India, which presented an opportunity. But with the average price of a new car in the U.S. hovering around $30,000, an inconceivable sum in the developing world, Tata would have to do something very different. The tiny Nano was the result. It’s currently on sale in India starting at around $2,500. That sound you hear is over a billion people cheering because they can now envision themselves owning transportation with a roof that they don’t have to pedal.

The pint-sized sedan wowed crowds at its New Delhi introduction in 2008 and Tata began exporting the Nano throughout the developing world. Speculation swirled that the company would eventually target the U.S. after the car was put on display at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, but do we really want it here?

Text and photos by Rex Roy / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2011 Tata Nano CX – Driving the world’s cheapest car

Quick Spin: 2011 Tata Nano CX – Driving the world’s cheapest car

Toyota and Honda may be improving the images of their minivans, but we mustn’t forget about the company that started it all: Chrysler. The very first Dodge Grand Caravan went on sale 27 years ago, and through all of the ups and downs that the automaker has faced over the years (especially in recent times), the Grand Caravan and Town & Country twins have always been a mainstay.

The current pair of minivans was introduced for the 2008 model year, so it’s only fitting that a slight mid-cycle refresh is on deck, and the folks at The Detroit News have snagged some spy shots of a Town & Country prototype out testing. In addition to modest exterior updates that include things like LED taillamps and a reworked rear bumper, expect Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 to be slotted under the hood. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, this should account for a healthy improvement in fuel economy, not to mention power.

What’s most important for minivan shoppers, though, is interior refinement, and the 2011 T&C is expected to get a host of cabin upgrades. More comfortable seats, higher-quality materials and an integrated center console will be on hand, and we’d expect the nifty Stow ‘N Go and Swivel ‘N Go seating configurations to carry over, as well. Look for similar improvements to make their way into the Dodge Grand Caravan, as well. Thanks for the tip, Aaron!

[Source: The Detroit News]

Spy Shots: 2011 Chrysler Town & Country nip/tuck spotted

Today’s autos are chock-full of safety equipment that vastly improves your chances of survival in the event of a crash. And if an automaker wants to achieve the best crash test scores, it has to ensure that parts like bumper beams, air bag sensors and radiator supports perform properly during a collision. But while automakers are concerned about their safety record, in some cases, aftermarket parts makers are more concerned with keeping costs down.

USA Today reports that Ford has called out some some aftermarket parts inferior, as the Dearborn, MI-based automaker’s internal testing has shown that some non-OEM parts are made of cheaper materials that may not perform adequately in the event of an accident. Parts marketing manager Mike Warwood says the company was “surprised at the gap between original manufacturer equipment and aftermarket parts,” adding that the gap was larger than anticipated. The easy way to avoid this issue is to demand OEM parts when your vehicle is in the shop for repairs, but unfortunately, some insurance companies insist that cheaper aftermarket replacement parts are used.

It makes sense for Ford push its factory-made parts, as the company makes lots of money selling in excess of 24,000 different replacement components. Ford insists that it is merely looking for aftermarket parts standardization to ensure the safety of its customers, along with stickers warning consumers that non-standard parts are being used. Insurance companies and aftermarket shops likely wouldn’t be too happy if a standardization process is initiated, but it’s hard to argue with oversight in the name of safety. After all, automakers test and build parts like bumpers for optimal safety, and consumers purchase those vehicles in part because of the safety ratings those vehicles earn.

[Source: USA Today]

Ford: Aftermarket replacement parts can be inferior, possible safety hazards

An automobile’s interior is just as important as its exterior when the time comes to close the sale. Keenly aware of this, Volkswagen has redone the Brazilian-market Fox and put a special emphasis on evolving the interior from low-rent to high-end. And a clever ad by agency AlmapBBDO puts it front and center.

Masterful advertising instantly grabs your attention, and seeing a Volkswagen Fox turned inside-out like a sock in the laundry basket is cause for a double-take. As the Fox shares plenty with the Euro-market Polo, there’s been talk of the Fox heading to the U.S. market, but since the Polo has been all but canned for Stateside consumption, don’t count on it.

Regardless of any migration north, Volkswagen has lavished some attention on the Fox by updating the exterior to keep the looks in line with the rest of the family. The interior, a source of previous criticism, has been changed, and is a point of pride for Volkswagen, hence its prominence in the advertising. The sharpened Fox is now wearing a more premium look as it continues to battle with the Chevrolet Agile and Ford Fiesta in the Latin American market.

[Source: I Believe in Advertising, auto-car-shop.com]

Volkswagen turns its latest Fox inside-out

That’s Doctor Captain Slow, to you. James May, one of the three amigos of Top Gear fame, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Lancaster University. May graduated from the institution in 1985 with a degree in music, though according to the BBC, he hasn’t been back to the school in nearly 10 years. May now carries an honorary Doctor of Letters diploma from his alma mater and says that he was flattered to receive the accolade.

May isn’t the only Top Gear presenter with an honorary degree under his belt. Oxford Brooks University awarded Jeremy Clarkson with an honorary engineering doctorate in 2005. As far as we know, Richard Hammond has earned no such honor from any institution to date. Something tells us that there’s bound to be quite a bit of ribbing over this fact on the Top Gear set.

[Source: BBC I Image: Top Gear]

James May earns honorary doctorate from his alma mater

Quick Spin: 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic proves money can buy happiness

The Porsche 911 Sport Classic is the embodiment of everything we love about the 911. But is it worth the price?

New study suggests that women drive dirtier than men – at least in Britain [w/poll]

Around 56 percent of female Brits say they leave their vehicle unwashed for six months or more. As for males, it’s less than half. The reason? Find out.

2012 Dodge Durango (or is that Magnum?) revealed on Twitter

Through the miracle of Twitter, we’ve gotten a production-ready glimpse of the next Dodge Durango. And it’s not half bad.

Also of interest:

• Mini Countryman to enter Rally Italy in 2011
• Salon Privé 2010 fires up as Europe’s largest luxury and supercar show
• New Ford Focus ST headed for Paris
• OnStar expands smartphone control to most 2011 General Motors vehicles [w/Video]
• GM to buy AmeriCredit Corp for $3.5B

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.22.10

When Fisker received $189 million in funding, the company gave a production target date for its long-awaited Karma of February of 2011. That release date has been delayed more than once, so Fisker held a second coming-out party at its Santa Monica dealership to stoke the fires, during which dealer principal Mike Sullivan began to color in some details of the run-up to February.

Sullivan said that at the LA Auto Show this November the upstart automaker will have full-sized Karma mockups on the floor to show off color and interior combinations. Immediately after the show, prospective customers can go to the dealer and take the new plug-in sedan on test drives, and with production beginning in Q1 of 2011, the deliveries would begin in March and April. Get all the details in the video after the jump.

[Source: WebRides]

Continue reading Video: Fisker dealer says Karma test drives and ordering start in November

Video: Fisker dealer says Karma test drives and ordering start in November

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named the Mitsubishi Lancer one of its top safety picks. The four-door sedan managed to be the first small car Mitsubishi that the Institute has tested to pass the new roll-over test with a “good” rating. As much as we like entertaining ourselves by thinking about the researchers flipping a bevy of cars and SUVs from 9-to-5, that isn’t quite how the institute tests for rollover strength.

Instead, a large metal plate exerts a steady force on the roof of a vehicle until the crash structure deflects by five inches. At that point, the boffins measure the amount of force it took to bend the roof and compare it to the overall weight of the vehicle. From there, a strength-to-weight ratio can be established. Currently, the federal government requires a vehicle’s roof to be able to withstand 1.5 times the weight of the car, and in order for a vehicle to earn a “good” rollover rating from the IIHS, the roof needs to be able to stand up to four times the weight of the vehicle.

Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2009

[Source: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Mitsubishi Lancer earns Top Safety Pick award, first small car Mitsubishi to pass new rollover test [UPDATE]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named the Mitsubishi Lancer one of its top safety picks. The four-door sedan managed to be the first small car the Institute has tested to pass the new roll-over test with a “good” rating. As much as we like entertaining ourselves by thinking about the researchers flipping a bevy of cars and SUVs from 9-to-5, that isn’t quite how the institute tests for rollover strength.

Instead, a large metal plate exerts a steady force on the roof of a vehicle until the crash structure deflects by five inches. At that point, the boffins measure the amount of force it took to bend the roof and compare it to the overall weight of the vehicle. From there, a strength-to-weight ratio can be established. Currently, the federal government requires a vehicle’s roof to be able to withstand 1.5 times the weight of the car, and in order for a vehicle to earn a “good” rollover rating from the IIHS, the roof needs to be able to stand up to four times the weight of the vehicle.

[Source: IIHS]
Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2009

Mitsubishi Lancer earns Top Safety Pick award, first small car to pass new rollover test

We can officially add the Salon Privé to the gearhead bucket list. The fifth annual automotive exhibit at London’s tony Hurlingham Club has established itself as a mecca of high-end metal, old and new, and while this year’s event lacks the major unveils and sneak peeks of 2009, it’s still packing more luxury and performance metal per square acre than just about any other show on the planet. For 2010, manufacturers from around the globe have rolled out their best and brightest, both from their past and present portfolios. Highlights of this June 21-23 gathering and concours include the always wicked-looking Veritas III, as well as the Lexus LFA, Lotus Evora and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

The new tin is cool and all, but we’re more interested in the smattering of old-school supercars in attendance. Want to get within sniffing distance of a McLaren F1? No problem. How about a Bugatti EB110 or a Ferrari F50? The Salon Privé will be happy to oblige. Check out our massive high-res gallery for a cross-section of the awesome in attendance.

[Source: Salon Prive]

Salon Privé 2010 fires up as Europe’s largest luxury and supercar show