After , is ready to put you in touch with a live operator by way of its Sync Services system. Should you feel the need to speak to an actual person, Ford will put you in touch with an operator who is standing by, as it will henceforth be included as a standard feature in Sync’s suite of functions.
Live operators can assist with turn-by-turn direction while also sending any relevant information about your destination to your phone. According to Ford, relaying the live information will help drivers keep their eyes on the road while the person on the other end does the data digging. Customers who are new to Sync will receive 60 complimentary sessions, while current Sync customers will receive a set number of complimentary sessions based on how much time is remaining on their agreement. Full details posted .
The is dead, long live the Porsche 911. The German automaker’s latest and greatest has taken to the Nürburgring where old marks have fallen hard. The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S was sent through the Green Hell, where it promptly beat the time achieved by the prior 997 version by a whopping 13 seconds.
With a time of 7:40, the 2012 911 matches the mark set by the previous . If you happen to own a previous generation 911 GT3, we’ll pause here for a moment while you go out to smash something with a hammer.
Back? Great. You shouldn’t fret too much, because this just means the next-generation GT3 should be a land rocket capable of blistering the surface of the ‘Ring. guys, your numbers are still safe… for now.
On Tuesday, August 23, a lone 2012 Infiniti M35h ripped down the UK’s rain-drenched Santa Pod Raceway and sped into the record books as the world’s quickest hybrid vehicle.
Driven by Tim Pollard, associate editor of the UK’s Car Magazine, and overseen by Guinness World Records, the 360-horsepower M35h dashed down the quarter-mile track in 13.9031 seconds (average of all runs). The quickest run of the day tripped the clock at 13.8960 seconds. In describing the M35h’s record-setting run, Pollard stated, “At Santa Pod you could feel the instant torque of the electric motor away from standstill – the car just leapt off the line.”
Lest you think it’s only quick for a hybrid, Infiniti points out that, in the hierarchy of quick vehicles, the M35h’s time puts it on a par with the following performance icons:
1982 Countach S: 13.9 secs
1998 : 13.8 secs
2007 : 13.6 secs
2007 : 13.6 secs
1966 Shelby Cobra: 13.5 secs
1964 250 GTO: 13.5 secs
The M35h scoots from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds and tops out at 155 mph. On the consumption side, the of 27/32 mpg city/highway, with a combined rating of 29 mpg. Currently, the M35h is North America’s only 350-plus horsepower, 30-plus mpg highway vehicle. Feel free to read all the details in the press release .
Sad news if you were hoping to see fender skirts return to the automotive design mainstream; according to Automotive News, General Motors has already spent a fair chunk of time and money investigating whether or not adding the aero pieces could lead to increased fuel economy.
As it turns out, covering the rear fender wells could indeed go a long way toward making vehicles more aerodynamic, but the costs and drawbacks associated with applying the pieces are too steep for production. For starters, manufacturers would have to run narrower tires at the rear of the vehicle, possibly decreasing handling prowess at the same time.
In addition, GM found that running fender skirts causes tire pressures to increase dramatically, potentially leading to and increased likelihood of tire failure. That’s not something that any automaker wants to induce in a production vehicle.
Then there’s the fact that adding fender skirts to a vehicle would invariably add to production costs. At the end of the day, the domestic automaker found that fender skirts simply aren’t worth any additional aerodynamic advantage given the risks and costs associated with their use. Oh, and most consumers don’t really seem to like them, either…
The battle-tested and it’s time to bid farewell to the aging military vet.
In the Humvee’s place could step the L-ATV. The Wisconsin-built Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle is built by Oshkosh Defense. Powered by a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, the The L-ATV appears capable of traversing nearly any type of terrain.
The L-ATV is highly armored, can accept multiple armor configurations and has nearly unmatched off-road capabilities. Oshkosh’s proprietary TAK-4i independent suspension system offers an impressive 20 inches of suspension travel at each wheel, which Oshkosh says is 25 percent more than any vehicle currently in use by the U.S. military.
While drivers of the L-ATV probably have more pressing issues to consider than the vehicle’s carbon emissions, they no doubt don’t want to be stranded by a vehicle that runs out of fuel deep in enemy territory. That’s one reason why the L-ATV’s diesel hybrid powertrain make sense (). So, as the aging Humvee retires from active duty, do you think it will be the diesel hybrid L-ATV that takes over?
It’s a good thing we aren’t fabulously wealthy, otherwise our domiciles would be clad in all sorts of clever automotive art. We’re not just talking cheesy vinyl bench-seat sofas and engine-block coffee tables, either. We like to think our taste elevates above some of the more common automotive décor we’ve seen. Take Wim Delvoye’s intricate tire carvings, for example. Each piece is filled with exquisite detail and is hand carved. Untold hours have been sunk into each piece (we have to imagine that this isn’t the type of thing that gets churned out in an afternoon – or a week of afternoons, for that matter).
The only question, is how does one go about displaying a decorative carved tire in one’s home? Would it work as a stylish table center piece? How about hanging from the ceiling? We say let experimentation be your guide.
Judging by the gallery names on Delvoye’s site, these carved tires might actually be a few years old, but this is the first time we’ve seen them. If they’re new to you as well, check out our full gallery, then visit Delvoye’s website by clicking on the link below.
is giving its customers a chance to win a – one of three, actually – provided they’re able to go out and find it. The automaker’s new marketing campaign calls the Journey a “Search engine for the real world,” and this new take on the traditional car giveaway relies heavily for broadcasting clues on the whereabouts of each Journey.
As you might have heard already from some of Dodge’s new television commercials, two of the three Journeys have already been found – one outside of San Francisco near Lake Tahoe and the second near Cheyenne, Oklahoma. The third will be parked somewhere in the eastern part of the United States, and Dodge will begin publishing clues to its location this Saturday, June 24.
If you want to participate, you’ll need to visit Dodge’s YouTube channel at that time () and watch the 24/7 live feed of the last Journey just sitting there. Dodge will release clues over the live feed, as well as a number of additional video clues that should get you closer and closer to figuring out the final Journey’s location where it’s just sitting there parked, waiting for you to find it.
We’ve included Dodge’s the aforementioned commercials along with the official press release. If you’re really going try to find the final Journey, you may want to look over the rules a little more closely.
Targa Newfoundland, Hyundai Veloster, the last Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Caprice PPV
Episode #248 of the Autoblog Podcast is here. This week Chris, Zach, Dan and Chris Paukert talk about the Targa Newfoundland, Hyundai Veloster, the final Ford Crown Victoria, and the Chevrolet Caprice PPV. Your questions and comments power the last third of the podcast, 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 #248:
Chevrolet Caprice PPV
In the Autoblog Garage
2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD
2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec
Hosts: , , , Runtime: 01:28:04
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The return of the Audi Allroad is nigh… possibly! Rumors have been swirling like camouflage that . Our spy photographers spotted a camo-covered Allroad undergoing hot weather testing in Southern Europe, but the up-rated wagon underneath these swirls is an A6 Avant.
Is getting ready to bring out a variety of Allroads? It’s possible, and we’d happily welcome both an A4 and A6 Allroad with open arms. Of course, we know how this story plays out here in the States. While we may see one of the two Allroad variants, it’s unlikely that both will wind up in U.S. dealer showrooms. Time will tell.
In the words of Rick James, adrenaline is one hell of a drug – just ask the unidentified motorist seen above. You see, a local news crew caught up with him shortly after a fairly spectacular traffic accident. As he tells it, a vehicle rear-ended his van, flipped onto its side and then slid into a power pole, knocking out an electrical transformer at the same time. As anyone who’s seen a transformer go down can tell you, a light show ensued, complete with plenty of arcing electricity, a shocked finger and one stunned driver.
If it sounds dramatic when we tell it, you should hear the tale straight from the horse’s mouth. Admittedly, we have no idea if this is a new video or not, nor if the motorist in question is intentionally trying to overdramatize things, but it’s the first time we’ve laid eyes on the footage, so watch it along with us: to partake in the hilarity.
As a genre, automotive journalists have seen (and done) some pretty stupid things done in some pretty stupid cars. Collectively, we’ve been airborne in more vehicles than are worth counting, roasted enough tires to make Al Gore weep, and generally made asses of ourselves on closed-course manufacturer track days. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Surprisingly, all of that stupidity has been eclipsed by the efforts of a few determined motorists in the Middle East. If the comments on YouTube are to be believed, the drivers and passengers in the slew of workaday family sedans in the video after the jump are participating in something called hajwalah, wherein drivers throw their vehicles into an extended slide before eventually correcting and continuing along their way. We’ve seen videos like this before out of the Middle East, and we’re thankful this one didn’t end in a crackup and bloodshed the way some others do.
Crazy drivers can be found the world over, and normally, most aren’t worth talking about. A few things are notable about this particular video, however. For one, the guys behind the wheel are kicking their vehicles around in what looks like full traffic in front of dump trucks and beside school busses. For another, none of them appear to be wearing seat belts. Finally, there’s a smattering of small arms fire from open car windows at the same time.
We’re nearly without the words to convey just how stupid this kind of driving is, but even we have to say, we didn’t know that humble family-toting iron like the , and could be pushed to such absurd slip angles – at least with such repeatability. to see for yourself.
daredevils go beyond the bounds of sanity… in family sedans
Twenty-two. That’s how many variants are available right now. And by this time next year, they’ll all be obsolete. But this one – the 2011 Porsche 911 GTS – is the pick of the litter. It’s the definition of the daily-driver’s supercar and comes equipped with everything you need in a Type 997. It’s perfect. You want it. And you want it now.
Just please forget about the peering out from behind the curtain…
A Roush-tuned is a modern muscle car gone manic. Our own , which straddles the performance line between the and the . If you like the sound of that but are looking to get a vehicle that’s even more exclusive, Roush now has you covered with its RS3 Hyper-Series.
The Hyper-Series cars have everything that the standard Roush RS3 wears as far as performance upgrades go. The Roush team decided to dress these coupes up a step further, however, by offering one of four unique exterior graphic and interior color treatments. Buyers can choose between Mat It Mango, Gas It Green, Punch It Purple and Launch It Lemon. On the outside, a corresponding color stripe accompanies the side graphic while the interior receives matching suede door panels, shift boot stitching and a pair of shift knobs. One knob is black while the other matches the color choice of the vehicle.
Roush is only building 25 of each version, and each vehicle gets a unique serial number as well. The Hyper-Series hits the market beginning in October 2011. Check out the limited-edition 2012 Roush RS3 Hyper-Series Mustang in the gallery.
The had a brush with tragedy on Sunday when two competitors lost their lives competing in the event. According to the Nye County Sherriff’s Office, 53-year-old driver Richard DeKneef of California and his co-driver, 41-year-old Merille Hill of Ely, Nevada were both killed on Sunday when their blew a tire, rolled several times and caught fire. Both men were reportedly trapped inside the blaze.
The Silver State Classic Challenge is an open-road rally held across 90 miles of Route 318 in Nevada, where professional and amateur drivers alike can push their vehicles to the upper limits of speed in a sanctioned event.
DeKneef and Hill’s deaths are the first fatalities at the event since 1992. Organizers have held the race every year since 1988. Our sympathies go out to the DeKneef and Hill families.
For those of you patiently waiting for a production that you can pick up at your local dealership, we have bad news. Automotive News is quoting CEO Michael Manley as saying it won’t be happening anytime soon.
“It is too late in Wrangler’s product cycle to add a pickup. The 2015 or 2016 time frame makes more sense. That’s when we will refresh the ,” said Manley at the . All hope is not lost, however, as Manley says he is “working closely with the product team because [he thinks] a pickup would be a great addition and a natural extension of the product line.”
In the meantime, buyers are welcome to order up one of Chrysler’s Mopar Jeep JK-8 pickup conversion kits, which will convert Wrangler Unlimited models into a small pickup for $5,499 (not including installation, though you can also do it yourself).
While it’s certainly not as good as a ready-made machine, the JK-8 kit is reportedly selling better than Jeep had expected, which can only bode well for the chances of a production pickup in due time.
Like a kid forever awaiting the presence of his deadbeat dad at his birthday party, we’ve been promised the return of Alfa Romeo to the United States so many times that we’ve stopped feeling disappointed when it is invariably “postponed” again. But that numbness isn’t shared by dealers across the country. Many of them are reportedly and understandably upset at the of the brand’s reintroduction to America.
Although the lion’s share of the 102 Fiat dealers that have sprung up across the country (and 28 more to come by year end) have grown out of existing franchises, all have had to invest significantly in bringing Fiats to their showrooms. And while the range has been selling well, it’s the only model they have to offer. Though no explicit promises were made, many of these dealers were counting on receiving Alfa Romeo to fill their new showrooms.
Instead, the relaunch of the stoic marque has been delayed again. When it does finally arrive, the MiTo hatchback is set to lead the charge together with the 4C sportscar, followed by the Giulietta five-door hatch. The Giulia is set to replace the 159, not next year as originally planned, but in 2014. And while plans for a -based SUV have reportedly been scrapped, a new sedan is said to be in the works to succeed the long-gone 166 and share its platform with the next . For our part, we won’t be holding our breath any longer before we just blow out the candles and get on with things.
Cadillac ATS prototypes have been a lot more visible of late, and the future entry-level Cadillac appears to be spending a lot of its time over in Germany. Just last week, we posted a slew of cladding-free that revealed the tidy shape of the rear-wheel-drive sedan. Now we have video of the well-camo’d Caddy as it runs the famed Nürburgring – in a big, fat hurry.
Beyond the jump is very clean rolling footage of an ATS prototype as it goes hard through the corners with tires-a-smoking. If you listen hard enough, you can hear some high-revving engine notes, but with the screaming tires it’s anyone’s guess as to what’s lying in wait under the bonnet.
With all the ATS news hitting the Interewebs of late, we’re guessing the full reveal of the future little brother of the isn’t all that far off. to watch the video for yourself.
Two mistakes. After six days of late nights bent over the route book with calculator in hand, long days of non-stop rallying and lengthy transits, we’ve covered over 2,200 kilometers, raced 41 stages and made two penalty-worthy mistakes. There simply aren’t words to convey the spectrum of emotions that accompanies the Targa Newfoundland, and the crew experienced its fair share of highs and lows throughout. While Wednesday saw both teams leading their respective classes, Thursday had nasty surprises in store for both the V8 Roadster and the supercharged NC.
Due to a transcription error, I fouled the finish time for stage 4-5, Garnish. We were supposed to cover the 13.25 kilometers in 8:43; I directed Brandon to the finish in 8:51, which landed us three seconds of time-over penalty plus another four seconds of interim time-control penalties. That seven seconds alone knocked us off of the podium, but the last stage of the day, Marystown North, saw an additional 7 seconds tacked onto our time after we missed the first turn and were forced to turn around.
When it comes to objects of automotive lust, few tip the scales further than the . Naturally, most mere mortals (like us) can’t come up with nearly enough expendable income to ever fulfill the dream of owning an actual, drivable toy like that.
If we can’t afford the real thing, at least we can get ourselves a smaller scale model, right? Well, maybe… unless the 1:8 scale Aventador you’ve got your eye on comes with seats, headlights and steering wheel made from diamonds, wheels fashioned from gold and platinum and a perfectly scaled copy of the body crafted from carbon fiber.
Just how much would such a fancy bauble cost? We hope you’re sitting down: at least $4.7 million. Yes, in dollars. Auction house Sotheby’s plans to sell the wee Lambo to the highest bidder in December with the lofty starting price just quoted, but if you just can’t wait to get your hands on it, you can buy it from , the modeler, for a cool $6 mil.
Or, you could buy a dozen actual Aventadors for that price, which may be far more satisfying. Check out our exclusive photos of the model taken by , and for a video of the model on display behind bulletproof glass at the .
trekked to the headquarters of Automobile Magazine in order to show off the . John and Doug arrive in the office of editor Jean Jennings, and things don’t exactly get off on the right foot.
After their initial introductions, Doug and John discuss the 2012 Ford Focus in front of the magazine staff. A boring PowerPoint presentation leads to some track time with the car, and it’s all captured in five short videos.
