Test Drive Unlimited 2 – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you jumped , you may have been disappointed to find a slew of bugs and server issues. Atari and Eden Games have been working hard to rectify that situation. A new update has been made available and it includes a variety of fixes, as well as a thank-you bonus item. The first batch of downloadable content for TDU2 thrown in the mix for free.
Called the Exploration DLC Pack, the downloadable add-on features new wrecks to find. The two new wrecks, once found, will put a rally-version Lancia Stratos and 1969 Dodge Charger in your garage (or garages, if you are progressing through game more quickly).
In addition to the extra vehicles, this update addresses the following issues:
Casino performance has been improved
Log-in time has been improved
Game is more stable across the board
Saved games are no longer corrupted
Friend lists are now populated
Invites work correctly
Clubs are now online
It’s clear that Eden Games and Atari have been listening to the masses, and are working hard to provide an enjoyable gaming experience. The update is being provided to PC users first, then it will filter over for console gamers.
The is still bigger and heavier than most of the competition, but there are still a whole slew of notable new features about the updated car. Designers filed off some of the more audacious curves in favor of a bit more subtlety. Power from the 650i’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 now sits at 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque – up 40 hp and a whopping 90 lb-ft from the last-gen 6 Series – and the six-speed gearbox has been replaced with a slick eight-speed unit. All good stuff, and judging by the fact that BMW has launched the online 650i Convertible configurator, it appears this big droptop is ready for prime time.
The price tag begins at $92,375 once $875 is added for destination and the dreaded $1,000 gas guzzler tax is applied. The price only goes up from there, with packages like Driver Assistance ($3,900) and premium sound ($1,800) bringing things over the $100,000 mark. Check off all the options and you’re looking at a MSRP of $110,375, or enough money for a loaded and a nicely optioned . to head over to the 650i configurator to price out some high-zoot open-air motoring for yourself.
The world can now rest easy. has officially embraced “Prii” as the plural of . The Japanese automaker made the announcement over the weekend at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show after inviting the public at large to vote for the phrase that best fit the company’s new gaggle of hybrids. The voting kicked off on January 10th at the Detroit Auto Show, and while Priuses, Prius, Prium and Prien all surfaced as possibilities, Prii took home the majority of votes with 25 percent of the more than 1.8 million ballots cast.
To mark the occasion, has updated its with the appropriate word for more than one Prius hybrid.
Toyota has made it clear that the company intends to grow the Prius family in the near future with the addition of production versions of the seven-passenger and the more compact . Now we just have to figure out what to call Prius drivers in polite society.
Massachusetts-based Factory Five, the builder of some exceptional and the r, has announced a new project vehicle. Starting with a donor car, the Factory Five team says it will be able to produce a mid-engined two-seater for under $15,000… and you can help design it.
Factory Five is teaming up with Grassroots Motorsports Magazine to run a public design contest. The goal for the this as-yet unamed sports car will be to feature the WRX running car and weigh in at just 1,800 pounds. It will have a removable top, 95-inch wheelbase and the Subie engine will power the rear wheels.
Stay tuned for more details on this crowdsourced design contest as they emerge. Submissions will be accepted beginning March 1, so the official contest rules should be along shortly. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
According to Consumer Reports, has addressed a handling issue with the that the publication discovered during independent testing. During a double-lane-change emergency maneuver, CR testers noted a considerable amount of skidding and hopping at the very limit of traction. Chrysler engineers then went to the magazine’s test track to review the findings before returning to Auburn Hills to come up with a solution. In December, the automaker released a software update for the vehicle’s stability control, and all Grand Cherokee models manufactured since then have come from the factory with the fix.
Consumer Reports was recently able to put the updated 2011 Grand Cherokee through its paces at the track once again and found that the issue had been corrected. The big SUV managed to maintain an average speed of 50 mph through the course and behaved itself at and beyond the limits of the vehicle’s traction. The fix has helped to improve the vehicle’s Consumer Reports rating for the Grand Cherokee from a 66 to a 71.
has seen more than its fair share of negative press over the past year and a half, but is the Japanese automaker willing to pay “mommy bloggers” to spread positive news? Mom site Dear Crissy reports that it received an email offering a $10 Amazon gift card in exchange for a post that highlights the fact that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issues that led to the company’s unintended acceleration woes.
The email, which reportedly came from a company called Mommy Networks, cited Toyota’s damaged reputation, adding “we’re helping to spread the positive news.” The email asked for a blog post about NHTSA’s release with links to a few articles, some love on social networking sites and “thumbs up” votes for YouTube videos.
For its part, Toyota denies having anything to do with the offer, adding that the company “adheres to the highest standards when working with media, journalists and blogger and we find any sort of payment for editorials or blogs unethical and illegal according to FCC guidelines.”
Dear Crissy has since published an update indicating that the site has been contacted by both Mommy Networks and Toyota, both of which claim no affiliation with each other. Mommy Networks has since gone on to to both Crissy and Toyota.
Holden Captiva Series II – Click above for high-res image gallery
Holden has unveiled its Series II Captiva in both five and seven-passenger configurations, and the company says that buyers can now enjoy greater power and fuel economy thanks to a range of new and refreshed engines. The Captiva 7 (shown above) will come packing either a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel lump or the same 3.0-liter direct-injection V6 found in the nose of the company’s Commodore. Likewise, the Captiva 5 will be able to take advantage of that same oil-burning engine in addition to the standard 2.4-liter gasoline four-pot. All three engines will be mated to six-speed automatic transmissions.
The Australian arm of has also gone about resculpting the Captiva 7’s front fascia, and buyers can now choose between a total of three different wheel sizes from 17 to 19 inches. Meanwhile, the new Captiva 5 is only available with 17 inch rollers. Interestingly, the Captiva 5 retains a different look that’s very close to that of the now-departed .
Holden has also baked-in a new heap of standard equipment, including an MP3-compatable CD player with AUX input, Bluetooth hands-free calling and music streaming and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. for the full press release and video.
Sexy sumos pose with the 2011 Subaru Forester – Click above to watch the video
Remember the sexy sumo wrestlers that starred in a in 2008? They’re back, and, uh, hotter than ever?
In this new ad spot for the updated , the sumos are once again put front and center, striking poses at the gas station, the beach and – of course – the car wash. says that with the Forester, sexy comes standard, and if this is the automaker’s definition of what’s attractive, then, well, so be it. Still, these Japanese wrestlers don’t hold a candle to .
When we first brought you Italian designer , we were suitably intrigued, but didn’t imagine it would actually ever hit the water. Color us surprised, because apparently it is.
The design, “heavily contaminated by stretched lines”, according to the press release, takes its cues from Lamborghinis old and new and applies them to the 50-foot form of an express motor yacht. Available propulsion options range from an available pair of 550-horsepower V12s from Motori Marini , and ultimately top out at twin 950-horsepower Seatek turbodiesels. The first example of the Lamborghini-themed yacht is apparently now being built, incorporating lightweight carbon-Kevlar construction that promises to be significantly lighter than the usual fiberglass or even aluminum.
Just in case it isn’t flashy enough on the outside, Lecchi and company have contracted Fenice Milano to outfit the yacht’s interior spaces. Yes, that’s the same Fenice Milano that has gilded everything from the to the . So you know it’ll be suitably decadent (or horrifying). We’ve updated the high-res image gallery below as the yacht undergoes construction, accompanied by Fenice Milano’s press release after the jump.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT gets girls, confounds 80’s bullies – Click above to watch video
The Pontiac Fiero was produced from 1984 through 1988 and the “fired-up” GT version was introduced in 1985. Just one year before the car’s demise, slightly updated the Fiero front and rear, greatly improving its appearance to most late-’80s buyers in the process.
A video sales aid was produced to help dealers learn more about the Pontiac Fiero GT and the clip is pure, uncut 1987 packed into 6 minutes and 38 seconds. We won’t spoil the entire clip but it features a nerdy Fiero owner, an 80’s tough guy neighbor and that tough guy’s jean-jacketed significant other.
“Just like a ? Pretty close.”
Put on your acid wash jeans then and take a trip back to a time when people confused Pontiacs for Ferraris. Poor guy in the RX-7 just didn’t stand a chance… And now you know why hunting down dealer training materials is one of our favorite guilty pleasures.
BMW X6 now available with room for five – Click above for high-res image gallery
Have you always wanted to drive a , but felt that leaving one of your four friends waiting on the curb was a drawback? Tell that friend to buck up and head over to your local dealer, because the X6 is getting an optional third rear seat.
The additional seat is available on all version of the X6 with the exception of the ActiveHybrid variant. Along with the extra (and from the looks of the pic above, tiny) middle squab, the Spartanburg, South Carolina-built BMW X6 is getting new 20-inch alloy wheels, interior leather options, and vicinity lighting.
In addition, there will be available enhanced content for Apple iPhone users. Through the BMW Apps system and ConnectedDrive, iPhone users will be granted access to Facebook and Twitter. The BMW Apps system also allows iPhone users to listen to radio stations from around the world regardless of where they’re located. Learn more in the official press release after the jump, which also details changes to the X6’s kissing cousin, the more capacious .
Spy Shots: Next-Generation Kia Soul – Click above for high-res image gallery
is hard at work crafting an update to its funky little . Our spy photographers in Germany have spotted a camo-clad example hiding an updated look.
Kia evidently plans on keeping up with current automotive trends, so the next-generation Soul will wear LED running lights (which are hiding beneath the amber stripes in the above photo) and sport turn-signal indicators in the mirrors.
Up front and out back, the Kia Soul will get revised bumpers. According to our sources, the Soul’s revised mouth will mimic the style found on the Kia Picanto, while the rear bumper cap are expected to seee the fog lights pushed further to the outside edges on Euro models.
There’s no word yet on when we’ll see this Soul sans-camo, but anything can happen when the auto show season is in full swing. In the meantime, we’ll have to use our imagination to figure out what’s going on under that camouflage, and you can try do the same by clicking through the gallery below.
According to AutoWeek, is bowing to a freshly filed lawsuit, renaming its the F150th Italia.
Originally dubbed ‘F150,’ the name quickly raised the hackles of the Blue Oval’s legal team, which has a longstanding claim to that alphanumeric naming convention thanks to its full-size pickup line. Ferrari had itself chosen the F150 moniker in observance of 150 years of Italian unity.
AutoWeek notes that the revised name was first revealed today on a new story published about the car’s testing in Jerez, Spain on Ferrari’s officialwebsite.
Thus far, Ferrari has made no official comment on the name change, or the lawsuit that Ford attorneys filed on Wednesday in Detroit.
*UPDATE: Official Ferrari statement on the naming scrum added after the jump.
Hirsch Performance Saab 9-3 – Click above for high-res image gallery
That didn’t take long. Just a month after that it planned to make Swedish tuning house Hirsch Performance its official partner and supplier for go-fast parts in the United States, has shown off one such-equipped at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show (okay, so one was briefly displayed at an outdoor stand adjacent to last month’s Detroit Auto Show).
The 9-3 you see here is outfitted with a Hirsch engine map upgrade that nets 240 horsepower (an additional 30 horsepower over the stock car), 6-Twin alloy wheels measuring 19 inches in diameter, an upgraded set of springs and a dual exhaust system. Visual updates include a rear spoiler, carbon fiber body kit with a front splitter and rear diffuser, four-piece mesh grille set and a few interior updates to remind you what you spent all that money on.
Speaking of the almighty dollar, there’s currently no indication on how much all of these goodies will cost you, but we do at least know that the whole shebang will be available from your local dealer and covered under the factory warranty. A whole suite of parts will also be available for the latest . Have a look at the Hirsch Performance Saab 9-3 in our high-res image gallery below. Not too shabby, eh?
Let’s be honest – the isn’t exactly a pretty car. And while the vast majority of the automotive media and enthusiast forums immediately lashed out at the TL’s angular design, we were nothing short of pleased with its luxurious, high-tech interior and solid driving dynamics – especially the six-speed manual-equipped SH-AWD. For the 2012 model year, has softened some of the car’s harsh lines, and while the automaker tells us that both the front and rear fascias are “all-new,” there’s no mistaking this sedan for anything but a TL.
Because this is merely a modest mid-cycle refresh, the TL’s powertrain hasn’t been completely overhauled. Both the 3.5- and 3.7-liter V6s are still on hand, though a new six-speed automatic transmission helps improve performance and fuel economy. A new set of 19-inch all-season tires are available on SH-AWD models in an effort to improve performance on snow and ice, fitted to an updated set of alloy wheels.
Inside, Acura has made substantial improvements to reduce wind and road noise, and the HDD navigation system has been upgraded to 60 gigabytes for improved music storage. What’s more, a new Advance Package nets customers things like a blind spot information system and cooled front seats. Look for the 2012 TL to hit dealerships later this year. for the official press release.
2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – Click above for high-res image gallery
The 1969 ZL1 was a performance monster, featuring an all-aluminum engine displacing 427 cubic inches that was originally intended for racing. Just 69 units were built, and they are highly coveted by collectors today. Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that chose to resurrect this classic moniker for what it is calling the fastest and most technologically advanced Camaro ever built.
At this point, specifications are still preliminary, but Chevrolet is estimating that its supercharged and intercooled 6.2-liter LSA V8 engine will put out around 550 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. Those ponies will be sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission using a dual-disc clutch that’s necessary to properly harness all those horses. There’s also a dual-mode exhaust system that alters the sound level and character in response to engine rpm.
Chevrolet tells us that its goal was to build “a Camaro intended to reach optimal lap times on top road-racing circuits and excellent driving dynamics on the street.” To that end, the 2012 Camaro ZL1 will be fitted with a new electric power steering system and Magnetic Ride Control that will offer both Tour and Sport modes. Brembo brakes measuring 14.6-inch (370 mm) in the front (with six-piston calipers) and 14.4-inch (365 mm) at the rear (with four-piston calipers) bring it all back down from speed.
Naturally, there’s an updated body kit to differentiate the ZL1 from lesser machines. Most notable are the redesigned fascia that features a front splitter, vertical fog lamps and air intakes designed for brake cooling. There’s also a new aluminum hood with a raised, satin black-finish carbon fiber insert that uses a unique air extractor that is said to increase downforce by directing oncoming air over the car. There’s also a spoiler at the rear of the car and new 20-inch aluminum wheels fitted with specially developed Goodyear Supercar F2 tires.
Chevrolet promises to have the Camaro ZL1 on dealer lots in the beginning of 2012, and it will be available in any color offered on the Camaro. We can hardly wait. In the meantime, check out all the details in the video and press release , and feel free to drool over the high-res image gallery below.
2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan – Click above for high-res image gallery
It seems like only yesterday when shocked the auto industry with the . The hard truth, though, is that the Korean automaker’s first foray into the luxury market arrived in 2008 as a 2009 model. Hyundai doesn’t intend to rest on its laurels, and new updates for the 2012 model year are being debuted during the Chicago Auto Show this week.
No self-respecting mid-cycle refresh is complete without an all-new powertrain, and the Genesis is blessed with with a doozy. An all-new R-Spec trim level will sport an all-new direct-injected 5.0-liter V8 – a mill that’s also destined for the larger . The new powerplant is Hyundai’s most powerful engine ever, producing 429 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 376 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. That’s 85.6 very impressive horsepower per liter out of a naturally aspirated engine, or more grunt per unit than the competition from and .
Impressive stuff, and Hyundai follows through with a new eight-speed automatic transmission that was developed in-house. The new tranny will help the R-Spec model achieve estimated fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon on the highway and 16 mpg around town. The R-Spec model will also feature unique 19-inch wheels, along with more aggressive suspension and steering tuning.
The Genesis Sedan will continue to offer the 4.6-liter Tau V8 and 3.8-liter V6, but changes were made to boost both power and efficiency. The 4.6-liter V8 will now reward the driver with 385 ponies thanks to tweaked induction and timing. Wha’t smore, the updated eight-cylinder mill will now hit 26 mpg on the highway, up from 25 mpg. The 3.8-liter engine has added direct injection for 2012, pumping horsepower up by a substantial 15 percent – 333 horsepower and 291 lb-ft for you number crunchers out there, up 43 ponies and 27 lb-ft from the old engine.
Hyundai rounded out changes for the 2012 model year with a few design tweaks to keep aesthetics fresh. Updates include a reworked grille and front fascia, incorporating new headlights with LED accents and dark chrome headlamp inserts. Out back, Hyundai added new taillamps, a revised fascia and integrated dual exhaust tips. Other changes include a host of interior updates and the new Genesis 3.8 Premium and Technology Packages. to read over Hyundai’s extensive press release, and click on the photo above or the gallery below for high-res pics.
Robert Kubica arrives at Santa Corona hospital in Pietra Ligure, Italy
The Lotus Renault GP team has issued another update on the progress of its star pilot Robert Kubica. The Polish driver, for those who haven’t been following, crashed during the Ronde di Andorra in Italy on Sunday – just weeks before the start of the F1 season – and was airlifted to a local hospital where doctors treated him for multiple fractures and severed tendons in his right limbs.
With the bulk of the procedures now behind him, Kubica is conscious (some reports state that he was revived from a medically-induced coma), and conversing with his doctors as well as visiting relatives and colleagues. Later this week, Kubica will have to undergo additional surgery (for his right shoulder and foot), to be followed by another procedure a few days later. He’s expected to stay at the Santa Corona Hospital where he has been since the crash for another two or three weeks, after which he’ll likely be transfered to another location to rehabilitate, likely for between five months and a full year.
With his recovery underway but a long road ahead, Renault will need to find someone to temporarily take his place for the impending season. Although the team has both Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean – both recent F1 drivers – on contract, the team is reportedly examining all of its options. Among them are , both of which raced last season and have proven themselves competitive drivers. Liuzzi lost his seat this year at Force India, while Hulkenberg took a test-driver role with the team when he lost his seat at Williams.
[Source: Lotus Renault GP, Image: Silvio Fasano/AP]
2011Chevrolet Impala – Click above for high-res image gallery
When discussing the current W-body , the phrase “long-in-the tooth” is an understatement. And while ’s biggest retail sedan was scheduled to get a complete overhaul in 2013, a report from GMInsideNews states that the next Impala has now rescheduled for the 2014 model year.
In an effort to keep the elderly Impala passably fresh until its new Epsilon-based replacement arrives, is reportedly ready to outfit the big sedan with its 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Both the current 3.5- and 3.9-liter V6 engines have been canned, and because of the W-body architecture, adding a six-speed automatic transmission to the existing engines would not have been feasible.
No other updates are scheduled for the 2012 model year as of this writing, but we’re sure that the Impala will continue to be a fleet queen until a more consumer-worthy replacement arrives.
