Motor Trend has named the its 2012 Car of the Year at the 2011 LA Auto Show today. The publication has been handing out the honor for 62 years now, and says that all of the eligible vehicles were submitted to a battery of tests that include on-track and real-world driving evaluations. In the end, the 2012 Passat came out on top because it fulfills six specific criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value and performance of intended function. Motor Trend specifically cited the vehicle’s roomy interior and wide range of powertrain options as reasons that it won the top nod.
Amazingly enough, this is only the second time in the history of the award that Volkswagen has taken home the Motor Trend Car of the Year trophy. The last time was in 1985 for the GTI.
This is a big nod for a vehicle that many feared would lose its German quality in its Americanization. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the 2012 Passat is a suitable rival for long-reigning models like the and . for the full press release.
The and never gained much favor outside of livery slaves and foot-in-the-grave pensioners, and for good reason. Utterly devoid of sex appeal or even the presence of the or less costly , the Barges of Ft. Lauderdale always came across as something had to sell, not something it wanted to.
That looks to be changing with the that serves as their replacement.
Like the CTS that put Caddy back on the map both in design and dynamics, the XTS slots between two segments. Bigger than the and but smaller than those two German companies’ flagship sedans, the XTS offers more interior room than anything in its segment-splitting class, along with a trunk that eclipses even the for volume.
The XTS’ crisp exterior comes off as a bit sedate in person, but to the design team’s credit, chrome use has been kept to a minimum, opting instead for brushed metal and tasteful brightwork in Platinum trim.
If the exterior doesn’t excite, the interior should, with handling everything from navigation to streaming audio, topping it all off with a 12.3-inch configurable display in the IP. But it’s also the little things. Purple contrast French stitching on the dash, doors and seats might sound like Joker-approved trim, but the effect is subtly stylish, as are the leather surfaces ahead of the passenger whose perforations spaces out in a gradient as it nears the doors.
As , power is provided by a 3.6-liter V6 making 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. The base XTS sends power to the front wheels, but with the addition of General Motors’ HiPer Strut system in front, rear air suspension and Magnetic Ride Control dampers pulled from the V parts bin, the XTS could be a handler – particularly when fitted with the optional torque splitting all-wheel-drive system. Plus, braking is by Brembo all around, even on base models.
Sales of the Oshawa, Ontario-built sedan are slated to begin late next spring, and if you’re thinking a V-series version sounds compelling, don’t be surprised if it shows up in two years time.
We a pre-production through scenic Iceland, and the Japanese automaker at the back in September. Here at the , however, has officially announced exactly what’s in store for the U.S.-spec CX-5, set to go on sale early next year.
The Skyactiv powertrain should return best-in-class fuel economy figures of 26/33 mpg with the manual.
Powering the CX-5 is Mazda’s new 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder with direct-injection technology. This powerplant is already available in the sedan and hatchback, and in the CX-5, it’s good for 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a new Skyactiv six-speed manual or automatic transmission (the manual is only available in the bottom-rung Sport trim, sadly). The CX-5 is not as powerful as other offerings in the class – the and much larger , among others, offer more grunt – but Mazda says that the Skyactiv powertrain should return best-in-class fuel economy figures: 26/32 miles per gallon (city/highway) with the automatic transmission or an even better 33 mpg highway with the manual. Based on our Nordic test drive, the lighter CX-5 is also likely to be more fun to drive than its contemporaries. No word yet on the possibility of seeing the Skyactiv-D diesel model in North American showrooms, however. In any case, we’ll see if the gas engine’s official EPA numbers match up when the vehicle is properly tested.
We’ll be driving the CX-5 later this week while in Los Angeles, so stay tuned for our full driving impressions in the near future, and hopefully we’ll have pricing soon. In the meantime, click through our new gallery of live images direct from SoCal and gaze at the official PR .
The 2012 Mosler RaptorGTR is one serious supercar. It boasts 838 horsepower and weighs just 2,580 pounds. How does an exotic racer manage to weigh so little when it’s packing a twin-turbo, 7.0-liter engine? Extensive use of carbon fiber is the key, and the payoff is a 0-60 time of only 2.6 seconds. If that’s not quick enough for you, for another $70,000, the RaptorGTR can be upgraded to produce a neck-snapping 1,212 horsepower.
Those are some serious stats, but it gets bizarre from here. The RaptorGTR is featured in a new music video with an artist called Abby Cubey, and we’re pretty sure it was shot in an alternative universe. It starts off with some very much appreciated beauty shots and a terrific exhaust soundtrack, then Abby starts singing about various automobile/sexual double-entendres – while people breakdance and sing in front of a wall of fire. Then it gets weird. No, this isn’t Jersey Shore, but now we think we know what The Situation will be driving next. to check out the head-scratching video.
Episode #256 of the is here a day late but still fresh, with Chris, Dan and Zach this week. Topics include the heavily revised Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the possible death of the Lexus HS 250h, the U.S. Chevrolet Spark and the Cadillac XTS. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our , thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #256:
In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Chevrolet Volt
2012 Volkswagen Beetle
2012 Ford Edge EcoBoost
Hosts: , ,
Runtime: 01:17:50
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Earlier today at a private event in Los Angeles, presented an updated version of the C-X16 Concept that initially . The car, freshly clad in a coat of White Pearl paint, was presented by Jaguar design chief Ian Callum who all but confirmed that a version of the C-X16 would be put into production.
The C-X16 Concept certainly looks ready to takes its place as a modern rendition of the E-Type with various design cues that pay tribute to the legendary two-seater. The technical aspects of the car are anything but retro, however, with a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 under the hood paired with an electric motor built into the 8-speed transmission. The combination produces 468 horsepower and 505 lb-ft torque, which Jaguar says is good for a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph.
Whether items like the hybrid power system will make it into production is certainly questionable, along with the trick side-opening rear hatch (an E-type tribute) and the stunning red leather interior with carbon fiber race seats that are more likely to remain conceptual features only.
You can see our live photos of the updated C-X16 Concept sporting its new White Pearl paint in the high-res gallery above.
The has been consigned to history, leaving without a full-size luxury vehicle for the first time in many years. General Motors will rectify that problem with the all-new . The XTS features dramatic “Art and Science” styling cues, with sharp, distinctive lines and the next iteration of Cadillac’s trademark chrome grille.
At 202 inches in length, the XTS is one big sedan, and its 111 inch wheelbase enables that size to translate into plenty of room for up to five passengers. The XTS delivers 40 inches of rear-seat leg room, or four inches more than the and two more inches than the . The XTS also features a cavernous 18 cubic feet of trunk space, more storage capacity than the . As large as the XTS is, its designers needed to add big wheels to fill in those wheel wells. Cadillac opted for standard 19-inch wheels, with 20-inch rollers available as an option or standard on the top-end Platinum trim.
GM engineers also poured plenty of technology into the XTS, including the automaker’s new infotainment system. The XTS makes use of a massive 12.3-inch LCD screen to display its data, with a choice of four different display options that offer varying degrees of features to cater to individual needs. In other words, if your dad doesn’t want to fuss with tons of options, he can opt for the least complicated interface. If you like your center stack uncluttered, the XTS features only seven buttons in total, with three allocated to audio controls.
Cadillac threw the technology book at the XTS’ chassis, too, adding its HiPer Strut suspension up front, air suspension out back and magnetic ride control. The available all-wheel-drive system comes from Haldex and features an electronically controlled limited slip differential for optimal grip regardless of conditions.
Power comes courtesy of GM’s ubiquitous 3.6-liter V6 mated to a standard Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift capability. The V6 will pump out an estimated 300 horsepower at 6,800 RPM and 264 pound-feet of torque at 5,300 revolutions. Cadillac estimates that the front-wheel-drive XTS will deliver 17 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the AWD model should return 17/27 numbers.
The 2103 Cadillac XTS will be officially unveiled at the later today, and GM says the production XTS will hit the streets in Spring 2012.
We Americans have a long history of clamoring for the forbidden fruit that automakers offer in Europe. Such has been the case with the crossover – the cuter equivalent of the more traditionally styled here in North America. But under the automaker’s One Ford plan, the products offered across the pond are now nearly identical to what’s being sold here, and because of this, the all-new 2013 Escape ditches its boxy styling and decidedly rugged good looks for something a little more… kinetic.
There was something appealing about the old Escape’s mini-SUV styling.
Love it or hate it, the 2013 Escape – previewed by the from this year’s – takes much of its design inspiration from the . The large, trapezoidal lower grille, the wraparound design of the taillamps and even the alloy wheels are further interpretations of the Focus formula. And while the sexy lead image you see above makes the Escape look all tough and handsome, truth be told, we’re not sure if we love it. We’ve seen the new Escape in person and it still strikes us as a bit too… Focused. Call us old school, but there was something appealing about the mini-SUV styling of the old Escape.
What aren’t old school, however, are the new suite of engines that is offering in its compact CUV. The standard engine is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder, which produces 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. Next up is an all-new 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder with 173 hp and 177 lb-ft on tap, and the range-topping engine is the 2.0-liter EcoBoost that boasts 237 hp and 250 lb-ft. All of these powerplants are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and with the 2.0-liter underhood, the Escape is capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds. Depending on the engine, Ford says that the new Escape is up to five miles per gallon more efficient than the outgoing model, though official EPA numbers (or estimates) have not been released at this time. Front-wheel drive is standard, but buyers can opt for a new intelligent all-wheel-drive system, as well.
Inside, there’s a host of the latest Ford technology, including the infotainment system. As for design, there’s a ton of Focus influence in the Escape’s cabin, though the layout of the center stack is cleaner and better organized than the one in the smaller Focus. There are plenty of other convenience features on the new Escape, as well, including active park assist and a .
There’s a lot to like about the 2013 Ford Escape, and we’ll be curious to see what the sales numbers look like when the crossover hits dealers early next year. The “old” model is selling better than ever, so the all-new Escape has serious shoes to fill. Be sure to scroll through our attached high-res image gallery to see the Escape from all angles, and for the official press blast. We’ll have more impressions live from the later today.
has given the company’s a life of its own. The newest commercial for the vehicle shows exactly what happens when dealers shut off the lights and go home for the night. The coupe sets about prowling the streets of some unnamed metropolis in a quest to quench its insatiable thirst for asphalt, frightening away vagrants and using its exhaust note to bark at the moon. Looks like fun. Buyers may want to think about installing a cage in the garage if they plan to bring this Black Series home.
Our with the non-Black Series C63 coupe left us wanting plenty more, and the video is only whetting our appetites for this even snarlier two-door. to check watch the film for yourself.
releases drool-inducing C63 AMG Black Series featurette
Blame it on our Rust Belt sensibilities, but we can’t think of anything cooler than rally cars racing full-bore around a steel mill. The video after the jump is about as heavy metal as it gets, and the gritty action is coming to your television in a new Speed TV series called Battle Cross. The steel mill pilot shown here – airs on November 17 at 10 pm Eastern. That’s this Thursday, kids, so set your DVR now, or ask your parents for permission to stay up late.
This first episode features 2011 Rally America Champion David Higgins driving against Subaru Rally Team USA teammate Dave Mirra. The competition is a two-round affair, the first a standard fastest-time-wins, autocross-style challenge, while the second is a judged “freestyle session.” Think: figure skating – but with sequins and feathers replaced by popping wastegates and two-foot wings.
A whole host of other names are attached to the series. Rally driver Andrew Comrie-Picard and Stacy Keibler, she of WWE and girlfriend of George Clooney fame, will co-host the show. Drifting star Samuel Hubinette and rally driver Stephan Verdier will serve as judges. Battle Cross is produced by The Fast and the Furious director Rob Cohen, so if nothing else, we can at least expect it to look great.
If you miss the premiere, Battle Cross will be rebroadcast on Nov. 18 at 1:00 am EST and 10:00 am EST, and Nov. 20 at 2:30 pm EST. Click to see the trailer.
With alternative powertrains staking a larger claim in the mainstream, it’s simply a matter of time before automakers begin adapting the technology for performance applications. The in-house tuning division of won’t be left behind, and we’ll see the first all-electric AMG product by the end of next year.
Mercedes will begin taking orders for the SLS AMG E-Cell towards the middle of 2012, with test drives and deliveries slated to begin late next year and in early 2013. Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz AMG, says development of the all-wheel-drive, all-electric supercar is moving along at a brisk pace, although official specs, range and curb weight haven’t been firmed up just yet. However, Källenius is confident that despite the additional weight of the lithium-ion battery packs occupying the torque tube tunnel, performance will be exceptional, particularly with AMG’s ability to independently control torque output to each wheel via the four electric motors.
But the SLS AMG E-Cell is only the first step – even though it’s a massive leap forward for the brand. Electric drivetrains and implementing some sort of a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) will be part of AMG products in the future, although Källenius won’t commit to saying which models would benefit from the technology. “We must look at everything,” Källenius told Autoblog, and utilizing alternative powertrains in the pursuit of ultimate performance will be key to AMG’s tire-shredding efforts in the future.
Time is running out on the Memorandum Of Understanding between parent Swedish Automobile and the automaker’s two Chinese suitors. The MOU technically runs out today, though Automotive News reports that the three companies will continue talks even outside of a formal setting.
Under the proposed agreement, Pang Da and Youngman will buy Saab for around $142 million. The two Chinese companies then plan to invest more than $678 million Saab to help get the company back on track to profitability. That sounds like the company’s best hope yet of surviving into the future. Unfortunately, former Saab owner General Motors has said that it is reluctant to allow the deal to proceed as-written because of , leaving Swedish Automobile officials to try to work out an amended agreement. Additionally, the Chinese government must also sign off on the deal, though they have allowed
Saab, meanwhile, says that all parties involved continue to work toward a workable solution to the tangle, but the company has just a week left to come up with a proposal to pay its creditors. The company has been under creditor protection while it works to restructure itself, but that protection dries up on November 22 and there’s no indication that an extension would be handed out by the courts.
After a five-year absence, the United States is set to gain two Formula One races within the next two years: one in Austin, Texas, and another in New Jersey. But recent comments vocalized by F1’s ever-outspoken commercial chief Bernie Ecclestone have cast doubt on the former.
Speaking at this past weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ecclestone has been quoted as saying that progress on building the Circuit of the Americas that’s set to host the United States Grand Prix next year is lagging behind schedule. According to the ESPN report, Ecclestone says the relevant parties behind the project on the ground have “forgotten to talk to each other.”
Does that mean the race won’t happen? Hardly. Setbacks, of course, happen all the time with construction projects like this one, and similar concerns have been expressed over new venues such as the Indian Grand Prix, the Korean Grand Prix and the aforementioned Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that have been successively added to the calendar over the past three years.
The American race, however, isn’t the only one who’s future is in doubt. Financial concerns stand to cancel the Turkish Grand Prix next season, and after political unrest caused the removal of the Bahrain Grand Prix from this year’s calendar, there’s no telling what continuing tumult in the Middle East could mean for the prospect of F1 racing there.
The may have taken overseas markets by storm, but that isn’t quite the case here in North America, where a delayed rollout, overly optimistic sales projections and related issues have hampered the retro supermini’s sales. So much so, in fact, that has reportedly had to stop production of the 1.4-liter engine that powers the Cinquecento until demand catches up to supply. As a result, it has had to lay off a portion of the employees that build it.
The exact layoff numbers are in dispute, but according to a new Automotive News report, Chrysler itself pegs the number at 30 while the United Auto Workers’ local representative says it’s more like 100. Fiat initially pegged its sales projections at 50,000 units this year, but as of just a couple of weeks ago, it had barely sold 16,000.
Will the and the performance model help the Fiat’s numbers climb? Only time will tell, but one way or another, it won’t come fast enough for the workers waiting at home by the phone.
has worked hard over the past several years at differentiating its products from each other. Where its lineup once consisted principally of mid-engined supercars of different sizes, today’s range includes as well a front-engined GT, an all-wheel-drive shooting brake and a 2+2 hardtop cabriolet. The latter is known as the , and while it certainly serves a purpose in Maranello’s catalog, it’s hardly the most heart-pumping Prancing Horse on offer.
That’s where these spy shots come in. Following reports that with a combination of increased engine output and reduced weight, we’ve now got the spy shots to prove it.
This test mule seen driving Ferrari’s private Fiorano test track and the vicinity, aside from sporting a rather garish red and black color paint and wrap job, has its hood all carved up like a pumpkin. There’s a pair of NACA ducts on the nose, some strange bulbous protrusion on the passenger side, and the whole hood doesn’t seem to want to close. The question is, what’s that modified hood hiding?
According to our paparazzi on the scene, the prototype had a distinctive turbo wail. If that’s the case, this would be the first time Ferrari’s used forced induction on a road car since the F40. Whether the upgrades will feature on a straightforward update for the California or breed a more hard-core version along the lines of the 430 Scuderia or 599 GTO remains to be seen, but Ferrari obviously has something up its sleeve for its most sedate model.
How does fifty-five grand for 580 horsepower sound? Probably not as good as the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at full scream.
General Motors has come clean with pricing and performance details for the most powerful ever, and as expected, it’s something of a bargain. An official MSRP of $54,995 includes a $900 delivery charge, and that pile of cash buys a 6.2-liter, supercharged and intercooled LSA V8 that’s good for 556 lb-ft of torque. The ZL1 will also pack standard Performance Traction Management, a suite of electronic suspension and steering enhancements including magnetic ride control, launch control, traction control, stability control and electric power steering. is also touting the Camaro’s track-readiness, thanks to standard rear differential cooler, engine and transmission oil coolers, and brake-cooling ducts.
Chevy’s official performance specs for the Camaro ZL1 favor the automatic, which can do 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and cover the quarter-mile in 12.0 seconds at 119 miles per hour. The manual is a tenth of a second slower in both exercises. Know too, that Chevy’s stopwatches time from a rolling start. Top speed for the manual is 180 mph and the automatic is four miles per hour faster. Both cars can pull 1.0 g on the skidpad, according to the automaker.
There are only six options on the ZL1, starting with the choice of transmission. An extra $1,185 will get you a six-speed automatic with manual shift mode. Adding bright aluminum wheels will set you back $470, as will stripes. A sunroof is priced at $900, while the carbon fiber hood insert is $600. Finally, a suede package for the steering wheel and shifter is $500. Leather interior is standard, along with heated power seats, and a nine-speaker audio system with USB port and Bluetooth.
Dealers should get their ZL1 coupes in the spring of 2012, getting a head start on the forthcoming . Read the full press release .
The New York Times reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has broadened its investigation into faulty transmissions used in the . A total of nearly 89,000 vehicles are now being looked at, including 2007-2008 Auras and 2008 Aura Green Line hybrid models. Before the investigation’s expansion, about 44,000 units from the 2007 model year were under scrutiny. Multiple crash incidents have been reported, and General Motors apparently says the problem is limited to four-speed automatic transmissions.
According to NHTSA, affected vehicles may not shift correctly, creating a mismatch between the gear selected and the shift lever. For instance, the transmission may stay in Drive, even when the gear lever is moved to the Park or Reverse position. This can lead to some potentially dangerous situations where a vehicle can roll or power away from an unsuspecting driver. The problem seems to be caused by deterioration of the shift cable jacket, which can even lead to a complete loss of shifting.
Americans everywhere are feeling the pinch of high unemployment and a stagnant economy. Even the gainfully employed are having a tough go of things, as wages aren’t keeping up with inflation.
ABC News took a look at holiday spending, showing how much the price of a turkey dinner has changed in only one year. The big dinner is expected to cost 13 percent more than it did a year ago, and the big bird will cost about $4 more than last year. Those costs are expected to rise in line with the hike in raw materials, but gas prices are to blame as well.
to watch the ABC Newsvideo. Gas prices are up on average 53 cents more per gallon than last year, and some experts claim a gallon of petrol could hit $4 per gallon in time for Valentine’s Day. We can hardly wait.
650 horsepower. 600 pound-feet of torque. 200-plus miles per hour. With specs like these, you don’t need long-form introductions. This is the , and all we can say is, the has officially been put on notice.
The heart of the new stunner is a 5.8-liter, aluminum-block V8, complete with a larger, more efficient supercharger. Nearly the entire powertrain has been upgraded for 2013, including a new cross-drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, a carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle. The cooling system has also been upgraded, and the new six-speed manual transmission now has a final drive ratio of 3.31-to-1 – optimized to handle the massive amounts of torque put down by the new engine.
Further enhancements can be had in the GT500 Performance Pack, which incorporates SVT-designed Blistein electronic adjustable dampers with ‘normal’ and ’sport’ modes and a Torsen limited-slip differential. What’s more, the Track Package adds an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler. Like the current GT500, 19-inch wheels are standard up front (20-inch rollers are found out back) and a Brembo braking system keeps everything in check when its time to control all that force. The whole package weighs in at just 3,850 pounds – 270 less than the Camaro ZL1 – and Ford says it will not be subject to the dreaded Gas Guzzler Tax.
Visually, not too much has changed from the current GT500, save some minor aerodynamic tweaks like an ever-so-slightly revised front fascia with new air splitters, as well as a minimally tweaked rear end. Inside, it’s the same levels of comfort and refinement that you’ll find in the rest of the Mustang lineup, albeit with new Recaro front buckets.
We’ll be sure to get up close and personal with the GT500 this week at the , but for now, wipe the drool from your keyboards and for Ford’s official press release.
Typically when an automaker makes a new rally car – whether for gravel, sand, snow or ice – it’s based on… well, a car. Usually a hatchback, like the , Citroën DS3 or Volkswagen Polo. Lately, some have been going a different route with crossover-based rally cars, but Renault’s latest is neither hatchback nor sedan nor crossover. It’s a minivan.
After contesting the Andros Trophy for two years with a specially-prepared Duster – which also formed the basis for its – the French automaker’s Romanian budget brand is returning for a third winter season to the French ice racing series with a new beast based on the Lodgy MPV. The production version of the minivan isn’t set to be unveiled itself until the in March.
The resulting Lodgy Glace (the latter from the French for “ice”) was prepared by independent contractors like Tork Engineering and Sodemo under the watchful eye of Renault Sport Technologies. Its tubular steel frame packs a -sourced 3.0-liter 24-valve V6 engine mounted amidship and sending 355 horsepower to all four wheels via a SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox.
The season kicks off on December 3 at Val Thorens, where four-time F1 champion Alain Prost and his son Nicolas, together with ice-racing veteran Evens Stievenart, will be taking on all comers. for the full press release and scope out the quarter of high-res images for a closer look at their new ride.
