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| GM plans for bankruptcy Monday
May 28, 2009 at 10:01 pm
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|   General Motors Corp., the industrial behemoth that once defined the American corporation, plans to file for bankruptcy reorganization Monday, the Free Press learned today. Crippled by the worst U.S. economy since the Great Depression after years of decline, the Detroit automaker will try to restructure itself in Chapter 11 with more government financing.  According to Bloomberg, citing persons familiar with the matter, the 77 year old company plans to file for bankruptcy protection on Monday June 1. That same day will...  Nowhere near enough General Motors bond holders agreed to exchange their debt for stock before a deadline at midnight Tuesday, making a bankruptcy filing by the automaker highly likely.  General Motors, the global automaking giant that traces its history to the horse-and-buggy era, appears likely to reach another milestone in the next week, but not one that anyone is likely to celebrate.
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| Study: Brits love, want to buy electric cars. Is that a good thing?
May 28, 2009 at 8:44 pm
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|   EV'IE - click above for more
 Mindset electric car - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we heard from Spirit Avert, the team behind the mindset electric car, the group was said...  Click above to watch video after the jump While they might lack the comedic punch of their seasoned British co-frères, the presenters at Top Gear Australia don't seem to have any electric car "issues".  Nissan EV-02 prototype - click above for a high res gallery The DOE loan that Nissan applied for to help it build electric cars and advanced batteries is likely to be approved for $1.  We've had our first taste of the drive system under development for General Motors' pioneering Chevrolet Volt, piloting a test mule based on the Chevrolet Cruze at the company's Warren (Mich.  Hey look, another new Renault-Nissan partnership to promote EVs. Today, a new alliance with Europcar was announced that will make electric vehicles available for customer rentals starting in 2010.
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| Bewerp Savage Revale Roadyacht GTS deserves a better name
May 28, 2009 at 8:12 pm
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|   Bewerp Savage Revale Roadyacht GTS - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we checked, the name "road yacht" wasn't exactly complimentary, but bespoke supercar creator Bewerp has embraced the moniker with the introduction of the Savage Rivale Roadyacht GTS. Unveiled at the Top Marques show in Monaco, the company claims the Roadyacht is the only four-door, topless supercar in the world, and as far as we can tell, they're right...  Ford Fiesta Rally Racer – Click above for high-res image gallery For the Ford Fiesta's next trick on it's Get to Know America Tour, the smallest of Blue Oval autos is getting a serious overhaul and going mountain climbing. Mindset electric car - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we heard from Spirit Avert, the team behind the mindset electric car, the group was said...  Volkswagen Eos White Nights – Click above for high-res image gallery We know that Volkswagen's new special-edition Eos isn't named after a mythical cavalry figure on an ivory steed...  Caterpillar-infested Honda Civic - Click above for a high-res image gallery For sale: One fourth-generation Honda Civic hatchback. Slightly faded red exterior paint with lots of squiggly black lines.
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| Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 5.28.09
May 28, 2009 at 7:45 pm
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|  First Ride: BMW F 800 GS
A new contender from BMW's own paddock has entered the fray using the brand's more recent 800cc parallel-twin engine design, so we jumped at the chance to ride the new F 800 GS in California. More details on 500-hp Ariel Atom 500 V8  Renault Twingo - Click above for a complete gallery A few French media outlets are toying with the possibility that Renault could build a microcar to compete with the smart fortwo...  As its name suggests, the BMW X1 represents the entry level in the German carmaker's SUV lineup. But while European sales will start in October, following an unveiling of the production car at the Frankfurt motor show...  Toyota Prius - Click above for a high-res image gallery Toyota Prius fans in the UK have a little something to celebrate today. Prices for the upcoming third-generation...  Ariel Atom 500 V8 - Click either image for a high-res image gallery When it comes to power and lightweight, enough is never enough. And so, Ariel (finally) gives us the Atom 500 V8...
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| VIDEO: GM crash-test footage from the Sixties proves we've come a long way, baby
May 28, 2009 at 7:45 pm
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|  GM 1968 Crash Test Footage: Click above to view the video after the jump Back in the Sixties, cars were huge. Some equated the size of their boats-on-wheels with safety, and even if their vehicle actually had seat belts, many didn't bother to use them. Fast forward to today, and we have three-point safety belts for all occupants, crumple zones, and air bags in just about every location possible. Yet some vehicles still only manage to score poorly in IIHS testing. According to Bloomberg, citing persons familiar with the matter, the 77 year old company plans to file for bankruptcy protection on Monday June 1. That same day will...  Bob Lutz, General Motors? soon-to-retire product czar, said Thursday that not only does he support and endorse the work of President Barack Obama?s automotive task force...  Yesterday, General Motors and its bondholders had officially called it quits, and GM was headed for a certain and certain-to-be-rocky bankruptcy. Today, according to a company filing...
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| Euro NCAP finds small cars offer plenty of protection
May 28, 2009 at 7:34 pm
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|  Europe's crash testing authority, Euro NCAP, has published a series of new tests that includes the latest small and fuel efficient models offered there. The top scorers in the small car segment, with five star results, were the Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 and Kia Soul. The Audi Q5 and the Peugeot 3008 also scored the maximum in their category. What Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP, said that the findings should help combat the false feeling that only large cars are safe: "Many claim that the weight and size of a car is the only criteria for safety. Bewerp Savage Revale Roadyacht GTS - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we checked, the name "road yacht" wasn't exactly complimentary, but bespoke... GM 1968 Crash Test Footage: Click above to view the video after the jump Back in the Sixties, cars were huge. Some equated the size of their boats-on-wheels with safety... According to Bloomberg, citing persons familiar with the matter, the 77 year old company plans to file for bankruptcy protection on Monday June 1. That same day will...
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| Ferdinand Porsche Award goes to lithium battery researchers
May 28, 2009 at 6:46 pm
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|  click above for a high res gallery of Lohner-Porsche EVs and hybrids This year's "Professor Ferdinand Porsche Award" has gone to Dipl. Eng. Michael Keller from Temic Automotive Electric Motors GmbH, Berlin, and Prof. Herbert Kohler from Daimler AG, Stuttgart. The pair won the €50,000 prize for their work on lithium ion batteries for automotive applications. The jury from the Technical University of Vienna acknowledged the importance of batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles as the most significant change to transportation in a century.  A project developed at the Argonne National Laboratory for Science and Engineering Research could lead to better plug-in hybrids. The idea was to create a high power,...  Yesterday, Brammo CEO, Craig Bramscher tweeted that bike #1, meaning their TTXGP entry, the Enertia TTR, was ready for the shipping crate and then went on to mysteriously mention a #2.  Sakti3, a lithium-ion battery start-up company based in old Detroit got its start in 2007 with the help of University of Michigan professor Ann Marie Sastry. Now, we hear that the company has not only secured $15 million capital for its project...  Tomorrow morning, May 19, Daimler will be holding an online press conference to make what it calls a major announcement in the EV space. Management board member Dr. Thomas...
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| Marcus Gronholm to pilot 800 HP Ford Fiesta up Pikes Peak
May 28, 2009 at 6:42 pm
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| Ford Fiesta Rally Racer – Click above for high-res image gallery For the Ford Fiesta's next trick on it's Get to Know America Tour, the smallest of Blue Oval autos is getting a serious overhaul and going mountain climbing. Pikes Peak is the vertical land mass in question, and two heavily modified Fiestas will evidently enter the Unlimited class steered by drivers Andreas Eriksson and former WRC champion Marcus Gronholm. Bewerp Savage Revale Roadyacht GTS - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we checked, the name "road yacht" wasn't exactly complimentary, but bespoke...  Following last week's announcement of the production version of the new BMW 5-series Gran Turismo comes a new more fuel efficient engine variant. For the last two years, BMW has offered a twin turbocharged 3.  Lexus LF-A Nurburgring - Click above for a high-res image gallery Last year's reports about the demise of the Lexus LF-A may have been greatly exaggerated, and according to the fabulists at AutoExpress...  Audi R8 V10 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Reports out of France and Germany indicate that in addition to the all-new A8 and A5 Sportback, Audi plans to reveal two versions of the R8 at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.  Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 - Click above for a high-res image gallery The Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 has been rumored for months and its finally ready for its close-up before sales begin in the UK this June.
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| Spy Shots: Is this the 2011/2012 BMW 1 Series?
May 28, 2009 at 6:33 pm
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|  Fresh pics of what looks to be the next generation BMW 1 Series have been snapped in Germany. If it is the rumored 2011/2012 model, it adheres to the trend of nearly every new car, as it appears to be simultaneously bigger and brawnier all over. It isn't the forthcoming X1 crossover, since a quick look at those two cars side-by-side reveals different ride heights and rooflines, among other things.  If you're a Mini owner or an enthusiast, why not leave your car in the garage on June 5th? This may sound unusual for a car company, but its exactly what Mini is asking.  Volkswagen is preparing its 2011 Touareg, and the company's most expensive expensive Stateside offering is slated to lose weight. Although the German automaker is reportedly aiming for a 600 pound drop...  Nissan has announced that they are recalling some 360,000 first generation Murano CUVs because of an engine stall risk. Apparently, the material they used for their air intake ducts is prematurely aging and shrinking...  Late at night, the driver of this Subaru STI swerved to miss a deer, lost control, hit a tree, flipped twice, plowed through a stop sign and another tree. Everyone inside walked away.
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| GM Reportedly Planning to File For Bankruptcy on June 1
May 28, 2009 at 6:32 pm
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|  According to Bloomberg, citing persons familiar with the matter, the 77 year old company plans to file for bankruptcy protection on Monday June 1. That same day will bring with it a press conference by President Obama who will likely spell out the details. This will be the fourth largest bankruptcy in US history and the largest for an industrial company. Yesterday, General Motors and its bondholders had officially called it quits, and GM was headed for a certain and certain-to-be-rocky bankruptcy. Today, according to a company filing...  The Obama administration made a new proposal today to General Motors Corp. bondholders carrying $27.2 billion of the company's debt, offering them 10% of a reformulated...  After failing to convince bondholders to restructure General Motors Corp.'s debt, the automaker's board of directors is to meet at the end of the week to decide the company's fate.
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| Enter the rumormill: Renault to build a Smart/IQ contender
May 28, 2009 at 6:30 pm
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| Renault Twingo - Click above for a complete gallery A few French media outlets are toying with the possibility that Renault could build a microcar to compete with the smart fortwo, the Toyota IQ or even the upcoming Volkwagen Up! The idea would be to use a shortened version of the current Twingo, currently being produced in Novo Mesto, Slovakia, to keep costs down...  BMW F 800 GS – Click above for high-res image gallery Since its introduction back in 2004, the R 1200 GS has been BMW's best selling motorcycle, and for good reason. Audi R8 V10 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Reports out of France and Germany indicate that in addition to the all-new A8 and A5 Sportback, Audi plans to reveal two versions of the R8 at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.  Earlier this year, word was that the Wheego Whip was supposed to be available here in the U.S. in May. Looks like July is the new delivery date, so hold on if you want your smart fortwo clone minicar NEV.  Smart ForTwo - Click above for a high-res image gallery If you poll owners (and reviewers) of the Smart ForTwo you'll find one consistent gripe: the transmission. The automated manual gearbox herks...  According to an article in Mag-X (via Temple of VTEC), Honda is hard at work wrapping up the design for the next-gen Civic that's expected to debut in 2011 as a 2012 model.
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| Spirit Avert looking to raise $152 million to build mindset EV
May 28, 2009 at 5:57 pm
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| Mindset electric car - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we heard from Spirit Avert, the team behind the mindset electric car, the group was said to be investigating the best way to procure adequate funding to produce an initial run of vehicles. At the time, we didn't know how much financing would be required. Now, we do. According to Spirit's latest press release, which is pasted after the break, a total of $152 million needs to be raised "in order to achieve highly profitable mass production of a series of 10,000 electric vehicles." Bewerp Savage Revale Roadyacht GTS - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we checked, the name "road yacht" wasn't exactly complimentary, but bespoke... Ford Fiesta Rally Racer – Click above for high-res image gallery For the Ford Fiesta's next trick on it's Get to Know America Tour, the smallest of Blue Oval autos is getting a serious overhaul and going mountain climbing. Volkswagen Eos White Nights – Click above for high-res image gallery We know that Volkswagen's new special-edition Eos isn't named after a mythical cavalry figure on an ivory steed... Caterpillar-infested Honda Civic - Click above for a high-res image gallery For sale: One fourth-generation Honda Civic hatchback. Slightly faded red exterior paint with lots of squiggly black lines.
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| Nardelli: Chrysler-Fiat is best for everyone
May 28, 2009 at 5:51 pm
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|  Chrysler's outgoing Chairman Bob Nardelli said the sale of Chrysler assets to Fiat could close as early as today, citing the company's lawyers, but attorneys for three Indiana pension funds fought in bankruptcy court to delay it. Nardelli testified before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez that he could leave the company "tomorrow," in response to a question from Thomas Lauria, attorney for the Indiana pension funds. The pension funds are among about 45 investment firms, hedge funds and banks that have been offered $2 billion in cash if they forgive $6.9 billion in secured loans to Chrysler.  Chrysler LLC's Dodge Viper sports car business has drawn only limited interest from buyers, according to court statements filed in connection with the automaker's bankruptcy hearing.  Next up to announce a miniature MPV is Volkswagen, said to be eying its Polo for conversion to a (little) people hauler. In Europe such a car would go against competition like the Opel Meriva and Fiat Qubo.  Jean-Marc Gales, who has been running Citroën since leaving Mercedes-Benz in February, is aiming make Citroën Europe's third-largest brand. During a recent interview with an Italian newspaper...
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| Hans Gruber, Your Ride Is Here: Volkswagen rolls out White Night Eos special edition
May 28, 2009 at 5:47 pm
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| Volkswagen Eos White Nights – Click above for high-res image gallery We know that Volkswagen's new special-edition Eos isn't named after a mythical cavalry figure on an ivory steed, but when we heard that the automaker's latest model has been dubbed White Night, we couldn't get Harry Ellis, the cloying stereotypical Eighties businessman from the original Die Hard movie out of our heads ("Hans... Bewerp Savage Revale Roadyacht GTS - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we checked, the name "road yacht" wasn't exactly complimentary, but bespoke... Renault Twingo - Click above for a complete gallery A few French media outlets are toying with the possibility that Renault could build a microcar to compete with the smart fortwo... Ford Fiesta Rally Racer – Click above for high-res image gallery For the Ford Fiesta's next trick on it's Get to Know America Tour, the smallest of Blue Oval autos is getting a serious overhaul and going mountain climbing. Mindset electric car - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we heard from Spirit Avert, the team behind the mindset electric car, the group was said...
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| Honda Crosstour to arrive in late October?
May 28, 2009 at 5:41 pm
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|  There has been all manner of speculation leading to this point, but the Temple of VTEC says it has heard from a source who claims the Honda Crosstour will be arrive in the U.S. in late October. Mules of the Toyota Venza competitor from Honda have been seen testing in the U.S. on an jerry-rigged European Accord Tourer setup, an in fact, it's not likely to vary a great deal from it visually. Ford Fiesta Rally Racer – Click above for high-res image gallery For the Ford Fiesta's next trick on it's Get to Know America Tour, the smallest of Blue Oval autos is getting a serious overhaul and going mountain climbing. As its name suggests, the BMW X1 represents the entry level in the German carmaker's SUV lineup. But while European sales will start in October, following an unveiling of the production car at the Frankfurt motor show... Click above to watch video after the jump While they might lack the comedic punch of their seasoned British co-frères, the presenters at Top Gear Australia don't seem to have any electric car "issues".  Hybrid and battery electric cars get most of the attention from drivers looking for more efficient transportation. Toyota has done a masterful job of marketing the benefits of hybrids and...
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| Bloomberg says GM to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday
May 28, 2009 at 4:55 pm
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|  Despite today's word of coming to terms with its major shareholders on a debt-for-equity swap, Bloomberg is reporting that General Motors will join Chrysler in filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday...
According to Bloomberg, citing persons familiar with the matter, the 77 year old company plans to file for bankruptcy protection on Monday June 1. That same day will... Yesterday, General Motors and its bondholders had officially called it quits, and GM was headed for a certain and certain-to-be-rocky bankruptcy. Today, according to a company filing... The Obama administration made a new proposal today to General Motors Corp. bondholders carrying $27.2 billion of the company's debt, offering them 10% of a reformulated...
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| BYD looking for more partnerships with Ford, unnamed European automaker?
May 28, 2009 at 4:46 pm
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|  The bubble of anonymity surrounding BYD outside of its home in China might be about to burst. Last week, we learned that Volkswagen had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese automaker (first hinted at a month ago) to work together "in the area of electric mobility." Turns out that Ford and an as-yet-unnamed European automaker are also pursuing "similar arrangements" with BYD. Warren Buffet must be smiling, since BYD's stock price has more than doubled this year, according to Auto Observer.  In the latest installment of an annual supplier relations survey put together by Planning Perspectives, Honda and Toyota have upheld their top positions in spite of suppliers describing downgrading them to merely "adequate. Jean-Marc Gales, who has been running Citroën since leaving Mercedes-Benz in February, is aiming make Citroën Europe's third-largest brand. During a recent interview with an Italian newspaper...  A woeful sales environment and the financial struggles of General Motors and Chrysler will set the auto sales hierarchy on end in 2009. At least that's how IHS Global Insight sees things.
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| For Sale: Fourth-generation Honda Civic hatchback. Slight pest problem.
May 28, 2009 at 3:58 pm
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| Caterpillar-infested Honda Civic - Click above for a high-res image gallery For sale: One fourth-generation Honda Civic hatchback. Slightly faded red exterior paint with lots of squiggly black lines. Includes protective tent-like cover for no additional charge. Located in the Dutch city of Rotterdam in West Holland. Price: cheap. Pests Pets included. Bewerp Savage Revale Roadyacht GTS - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we checked, the name "road yacht" wasn't exactly complimentary, but bespoke... Ford Fiesta Rally Racer – Click above for high-res image gallery For the Ford Fiesta's next trick on it's Get to Know America Tour, the smallest of Blue Oval autos is getting a serious overhaul and going mountain climbing. Mindset electric car - Click above for a high-res image gallery The last time we heard from Spirit Avert, the team behind the mindset electric car, the group was said... Volkswagen Eos White Nights – Click above for high-res image gallery We know that Volkswagen's new special-edition Eos isn't named after a mythical cavalry figure on an ivory steed...
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| Martini girl messes up F1 racers in Monaco
May 28, 2009 at 3:58 pm
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|  Martini girl in Monaco – Click above for high-res image gallery You'd have a hard time concentrating too if this woman were staring right at you. That's what reportedly happened during last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. Drivers complained during qualifying that a billboard advertisement located just after Lowes hairpin and before the tunnel was distracting them. The advert was for Martini, the "Italian winemaker founded in 1863 and famous for its iconic vermouth" (according to Luxist), and featured the enchanting gaze of model Jessiqa Pace.  2009 Monaco Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery Another race, another week of wondering whether the other Formula 1 teams would make enough progress to catch Brawn GP.  Formula One: Jenson Button became the first British driver to win the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix from pole since Jackie Stewart did it in 1973. The win was Button's fifth in six races this season...  The ongoing debate among Formula one teams over whether to run kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) continues as those teams head to the streets of Monaco this weekend.  Cadillac's V-Day stunt driving exhibition - Click above to watch the video Although things are understandably more than bit somber in General Motors' U.S. operations as of late, over in China, the mood is a bit more upbeat.
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| Tesla all grown up, first NHTSA recall announced
May 28, 2009 at 3:47 pm
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|  As the staff of Tesla Motors has learned all too painfully over the last several years, mass producing a car is no trivial task even if "mass" is only a few hundred. Now that Tesla is churning out Roadsters at a more or less steady pace it seems that the inevitable has finally happened. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has ordered the first safety recall of the Roadster. A total of 345 Roadsters built between March 2008 and April 2009 will have to return to home base for some repairs.  When opening a door, one expects to grab the handle and pull without the risk of injury. If you own a 2002 or 2003 Hyundai Sonata with chrome handles, you may not have that luxury, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping...  When Obama unveiled new fuel standards we decried the end of fun cars and pointed out how far most automakers are from meeting new-for-2016 fuel standards. It turns out...  Volkswagen has announced that it will recall some 25,594 examples of its 2006-2009 Jetta over a potential driveshaft issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cars with the company's 2.
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| California Seeks Own Emissions Standards Until 2012
May 28, 2009 at 3:32 pm
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|   President Obama proposed tougher fuel economy standards on May 19, citing a target of 35.5 miles a gallon (for cars and trucks) by the 2016 model year. And officials from the administration said that California, which has been seeking a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency to impose its own regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from tailpipes, would voluntarily step aside and abide by federal rules from the 2012 to the 2016 model year. The two standards are roughly equivalent.  As summertime approaches, so do rising fuel prices. This time around, the price hikes are tied to rising world oil prices. When gas prices dropped from peaks of over $4 per gallon last summer to under $2 at the end of the year... Nowhere near enough General Motors bond holders agreed to exchange their debt for stock before a deadline at midnight Tuesday, making a bankruptcy filing by the automaker highly likely. When Obama unveiled new fuel standards we decried the end of fun cars and pointed out how far most automakers are from meeting new-for-2016 fuel standards. It turns out...  A Hummer that gets the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon or more? That's something even President Barack Obama could live with — not to mention California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the unquestioned celebrity champion for Hummers.
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| GM?s Bob Lutz takes a hard left: Retiring product czar loves auto task force:
May 28, 2009 at 3:28 pm
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|  Bob Lutz, General Motors? soon-to-retire product czar, said Thursday that not only does he support and endorse the work of President Barack Obama?s automotive task force, but he?d also like to see the government-industry entity become a permanent fixture. ?Benevolent oversight and two-way communication between Washington and the auto industry? would be a good thing, Lutz told members of the Automotive Press Association at a luncheon Thursday in Detroit. Yesterday, General Motors and its bondholders had officially called it quits, and GM was headed for a certain and certain-to-be-rocky bankruptcy. Today, according to a company filing... Toyota Prius - Click above for a high-res image gallery Toyota Prius fans in the UK have a little something to celebrate today. Prices for the upcoming third-generation... The Obama administration made a new proposal today to General Motors Corp. bondholders carrying $27.2 billion of the company's debt, offering them 10% of a reformulated...  Toyota supposedly wishes to offer GM the technology that underlies the Prius and other Toyota vehicles should GM go into bankruptcy. The intellectual property under...
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| Oil prices continue to rise as Saudis target $80 per barrel, could climb from there
May 28, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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| As summertime approaches, so do rising fuel prices. This time around, the price hikes are tied to rising world oil prices. When gas prices dropped from peaks of over $4 per gallon last summer to under $2 at the end of the year, world-wide demand reductions resulting from the financial collapse were to blame... As the staff of Tesla Motors has learned all too painfully over the last several years, mass producing a car is no trivial task even if "mass" is only a few hundred.... Caterpillar-infested Honda Civic - Click above for a high-res image gallery For sale: One fourth-generation Honda Civic hatchback. Slightly faded red exterior paint with lots of squiggly black lines. Martini girl in Monaco – Click above for high-res image gallery You'd have a hard time concentrating too if this woman were staring right at you. That's what reportedly happened during last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. Bob Lutz, General Motors? soon-to-retire product czar, said Thursday that not only does he support and endorse the work of President Barack Obama?s automotive task force...
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| REPORT: GM bondholders give go-ahead to revamped deal, bankruptcy still expected
May 28, 2009 at 3:00 pm
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| Yesterday, General Motors and its bondholders had officially called it quits, and GM was headed for a certain and certain-to-be-rocky bankruptcy. Today, according to a company filing, The General and the necessary chunk of its bondholders have come to an agreement, and the company looks to be headed to a slightly less rocky bankruptcy. Bob Lutz, General Motors? soon-to-retire product czar, said Thursday that not only does he support and endorse the work of President Barack Obama?s automotive task force...  According to a source at The Associated Press, General Motors will announce the closure of 14 factories on Monday morning. The shutterings will reportedly occur by the end of 2010... After failing to convince bondholders to restructure General Motors Corp.'s debt, the automaker's board of directors is to meet at the end of the week to decide the company's fate.
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| Autoblog Podcast #129
May 28, 2009 at 2:59 pm
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|  Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
Episode #129 of the Autoblog Podcast is here! Chris, Sam, and Dan toss the ball around this week discussing the Lexus HS250h, the Toyota Prius's newfound chassis grace, the production version of the BMW 5-Series GT, Cadillac's sharp new SRX, and of course, a few questions... Toyota Prius - Click above for a high-res image gallery Toyota Prius fans in the UK have a little something to celebrate today. Prices for the upcoming third-generation... Following last week's announcement of the production version of the new BMW 5-series Gran Turismo comes a new more fuel efficient engine variant. For the last two years, BMW has offered a twin turbocharged 3.  Toyota's third-generation Prius couldn't come at a better time for the automaker. Sales of just about every one of the company's models are down, and the Aishi, Japan-based automaker lost $7.  2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery When car buyers think of hybrids, the name that most often springs to mind is the Toyota Prius since it...
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| BMW X1: Striving to be the driver's choice among small SUVs:
May 28, 2009 at 2:56 pm
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| As its name suggests, the BMW X1 represents the entry level in the German carmaker's SUV lineup. But while European sales will start in October, following an unveiling of the production car at the Frankfurt motor show, we'll have to wait until 2011 to see the car in the United States. That's because BMW wants to see the second-generation X3, which will be built in South Carolina, land in showrooms first. Ariel Atom 500 V8 - Click either image for a high-res image gallery When it comes to power and lightweight, enough is never enough. And so, Ariel (finally) gives us the Atom 500 V8...  Audi R8 V12 TDI concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery According to dueling reports on Auto Motor und Sport in Germany and L'Automobile in France, Audi may...  "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you." The punch line to an old joke embodies the fear that grips many people over what government control will mean for General Motors.  Stating next week, a little thing called the Hydrogen Road Tour will visit 28 cities over nine days. The Tour will cruise north along the West Coast, starting in Chula Vista, California and ending in Vancouver, British Columbia.  Rolls-Royce, which enjoyed a 20 percent sales increase in 2008, is bracing for another strong year in 2009. In fact, the luxury automaker announced this week that it would be increasing its manufacturing work force by 50 percent.
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| Dodge Viper operations draw limited interest:
May 28, 2009 at 2:55 pm
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| Chrysler LLC's Dodge Viper sports car business has drawn only limited interest from buyers, according to court statements filed in connection with the automaker's bankruptcy hearing. Chrysler recently offered to sell the entire Conner Avenue plant in Detroit, which builds the Dodge Viper sports car, for $10 million, Chrysler Chairman Bob Nardelli said in a statement.  Devon Motor Works GTX rendering - Click above for an image gallery According to court documents filed by Chrysler, there is but one lone official offer for the firm's Dodge Viper automotive business...  Business consultant Robert Kidder is set to become the new chairman of Chrysler Group when it emerges from bankruptcy. Kidder, 64, will replace Bob Nardelli, who was hired in 2007 after Daimler sold Chrysler to private equity group Cerberus.  Formula Drift Mopar Dodge Viper - Click above for a high-res gallery In an unsurprising turn of events, Chrysler has pulled its sponsorship of Sam Hubinette's drifting team as part of the company's restructuring plan.  Click the image above to view the video after the jump The Nurburgring demands respect, and the Viper GT3 and Porsche GT3 are world-class race cars that demand that you get the Hell out of their way.
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| Dodge reportedly has one lowball bidder for Viper franchise... but is it enough?
May 28, 2009 at 2:45 pm
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| Devon Motor Works GTX rendering - Click above for an image gallery According to court documents filed by Chrysler, there is but one lone official offer for the firm's Dodge Viper automotive business, and it is well under the $10 million asking price that the bankrupt automaker has been seeking. If a suitable buyer isn't found, it's likely that the Connor Avenue Assembly plant where the Viper is manufactured will be closed down this December. Chrysler LLC's Dodge Viper sports car business has drawn only limited interest from buyers, according to court statements filed in connection with the automaker's bankruptcy hearing. Nissan EV-02 prototype - click above for a high res gallery The DOE loan that Nissan applied for to help it build electric cars and advanced batteries is likely to be approved for $1. The Obama administration made a new proposal today to General Motors Corp. bondholders carrying $27.2 billion of the company's debt, offering them 10% of a reformulated... Audi R8 V12 TDI concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery According to dueling reports on Auto Motor und Sport in Germany and L'Automobile in France, Audi may...
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| A Flying Car in Greenwich
May 28, 2009 at 2:15 pm
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| The Terrafugia Transition, a flying-car concept whose maiden flight was chronicled last month by Jim Motavalli, will make what is being called its first "major" public appearance at the Greenwich Concours d ‘Elegance on June 6-7. Alas, the Transition won't be flying in Greenwich that weekend. But it will be on display, along with some 300 cars and motorcycles dating from 1900 to the present. A collection of classic yachts will also be shown, while special exhibits will honor Morgan's 100th anniversary and Mini's 50th. As the staff of Tesla Motors has learned all too painfully over the last several years, mass producing a car is no trivial task even if "mass" is only a few hundred.... Caterpillar-infested Honda Civic - Click above for a high-res image gallery For sale: One fourth-generation Honda Civic hatchback. Slightly faded red exterior paint with lots of squiggly black lines. Martini girl in Monaco – Click above for high-res image gallery You'd have a hard time concentrating too if this woman were staring right at you. That's what reportedly happened during last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. Bob Lutz, General Motors? soon-to-retire product czar, said Thursday that not only does he support and endorse the work of President Barack Obama?s automotive task force...
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| UK Prius gets priced; cool options missing?
May 28, 2009 at 2:04 pm
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| Toyota Prius - Click above for a high-res image gallery Toyota Prius fans in the UK have a little something to celebrate today. Prices for the upcoming third-generation hybrid are pretty much the same as the second-generation models but now they can get all most of the fancy new gadgets and improved fuel economy figures. The entry-level T3 and the T Spirit models keep their starting prices intact (£18,370 and £21,210, respectively), while the price for the T4 goes up by £835 to £19,990. The 2010 Prius goes on sale in the UK in August (read our review here). Caterpillar-infested Honda Civic - Click above for a high-res image gallery For sale: One fourth-generation Honda Civic hatchback. Slightly faded red exterior paint with lots of squiggly black lines. Ariel Atom 500 V8 - Click either image for a high-res image gallery When it comes to power and lightweight, enough is never enough. And so, Ariel (finally) gives us the Atom 500 V8... Audi R8 V12 TDI concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery According to dueling reports on Auto Motor und Sport in Germany and L'Automobile in France, Audi may... Lexus LF-A Nurburgring - Click above for a high-res image gallery Last year's reports about the demise of the Lexus LF-A may have been greatly exaggerated, and according to the fabulists at AutoExpress... Toyota's third-generation Prius couldn't come at a better time for the automaker. Sales of just about every one of the company's models are down, and the Aishi, Japan-based automaker lost $7.
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| VIDEO: Top Gear electric car build-off, Aussie rules
May 28, 2009 at 2:02 pm
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|  While they might lack the comedic punch of their seasoned British co-frères, the presenters at Top Gear Australia don't seem to have any electric car "issues...
Click above to watch video after the jump While they might lack the comedic punch of their seasoned British co-frères, the presenters at Top Gear Australia don't seem to have any electric car "issues". Nissan EV-02 prototype - click above for a high res gallery The DOE loan that Nissan applied for to help it build electric cars and advanced batteries is likely to be approved for $1. We've had our first taste of the drive system under development for General Motors' pioneering Chevrolet Volt, piloting a test mule based on the Chevrolet Cruze at the company's Warren (Mich.  Chrysler Town & Country EV - Click above for a high-res gallery Chrysler has submitted a series of plans to the U.S. Department of Energy intended to speed up the... Hey look, another new Renault-Nissan partnership to promote EVs. Today, a new alliance with Europcar was announced that will make electric vehicles available for customer rentals starting in 2010.
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| Seven Ways To Protect Your Tank From Gas Thieves
May 28, 2009 at 2:00 pm
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|   With summer comes higher gas price – just as everyone's run of money. Today's classic from the Jalopnik vault shows you how to protect your investment, updated with the latest method. As you lose all your money, get kicked out of your house and have to commute between job fairs, gas will rapidly become one of your top expenses. And after sharing the six best ways to steal gas yesterday, we figure it's prudent to do the right thing by providing seven of the best ways to protect your gas investment from the shady characters out there wishing to make it their own.  With summer comes the threat of higher gas prices — just as everyone has run out of money. Today we bring you a classic from the Jalopnik vault, Five Ways To Steal Gas, updated with the latest technique.  Is there a better way to honor those who served than honoring the vehicles they served in? Probably. But there's no more Jalopnik way of doing it than with a list of fierce olive American metal.  Reader Rudolphdude spotted this flier asking passers-by for information about a tank lost somewhere in Brooklyn. At first glance, the phone number makes it look like a very clever viral Army recruiting ad.  Daimler Truck North America's Freightliner division has collaborated with Eaton to produce the first hybrid truck for hazardous material transport. The first Freightliner...
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| Study: 20% of all vehicles sold in U.S. to be hybrids by 2020
May 28, 2009 at 1:58 pm
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|  What percentage of new vehicles in the U.S. will be hybrid in the year 2020? Take our poll after the jump! According to a recent study conducted by JPMorgan, hybrid sales are about to take off. Last year, there were some 480,000 total hybrid vehicles sold around the world, which represents less than 1% of global sales. By 2020, though, JPMorgan predicts that 11.28 million hybrids will be sold annually, representing over 13% of all vehicles sold. Hybrid and battery electric cars get most of the attention from drivers looking for more efficient transportation. Toyota has done a masterful job of marketing the benefits of hybrids and...  According to a recent study conducted by JPMorgan, hybrid sales are about to take off. Last year, there were some 480,000 total hybrid vehicles sold around the world, which represents less than one percent of global sales.  The ** 2010 Honda Insight hybrid looks as aerodynamically slick and technically advanced as Toyota's 51-m.p.g. 2010 Prius, but falls far short. In fact, the new Insight...  The 2010 Honda Insight hybrid is a new car bereft of new ideas. That's peculiar, because the original 2000 Insight was the first gasoline-electric hybrid sold in the United States.
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| VIDEO: Top Gear Australia electric car build-off, Aussie rules style
May 28, 2009 at 1:14 pm
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| Click above to watch video after the jump While they might lack the comedic punch of their seasoned British co-frères, the presenters at Top Gear Australia don't seem to have any electric car "issues". Indeed, in a recent episode they even held a their own battery-powered build-off. Presenters Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati each took a car of their choosing, stripped out all the combustive components and inserted a rough and (mostly) ready electric drivetrain, before meeting up on a racetrack to compete for bragging rights. Nissan EV-02 prototype - click above for a high res gallery The DOE loan that Nissan applied for to help it build electric cars and advanced batteries is likely to be approved for $1. We've had our first taste of the drive system under development for General Motors' pioneering Chevrolet Volt, piloting a test mule based on the Chevrolet Cruze at the company's Warren (Mich. Chrysler Town & Country EV - Click above for a high-res gallery Chrysler has submitted a series of plans to the U.S. Department of Energy intended to speed up the...  Tezzari Zero - Click above for a high-res image gallery Interested in the chance to purchase the very first Tazzari ZERO sold in America? Good news then, you're free to bid on it on eBay. Hey look, another new Renault-Nissan partnership to promote EVs. Today, a new alliance with Europcar was announced that will make electric vehicles available for customer rentals starting in 2010.
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| 227 MPH Audi A4 beats Bugatti to set world record for fastest car powered by biogas
May 28, 2009 at 1:05 pm
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|  After a few earlier attempts were unsuccessful in setting an official record, Jürgen Hohenester, a German racecar driver and automotive tuner, has finally set a new world record for reaching the fastest speed ever recorded running a vehicle on biogas. Yes, Guiness has indeed been notified. Powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine that's been converted to run on the compressed gas, the silver Audi sedan was clocked at an impressive 226.55 mph (364.6 kilometers per hour). Previously, the record was held by a Bugatti that was reportedly 20 kph slower.  BRUSA Spyder - Click above for a high-res image gallery BRUSA, a Swiss electronics company, recently attended the EVS24 conference in Stavanger, Norway, with an electric sportscar called the Spyder in tow.  It's easy to calculate that a car with the engine running but not moving is getting zero mpg. New technologies allow some cars to take control of the on/off switch from the driver when stopped.  RM Auctions and Sotheby's made history yesterday, selling a 1957 Ferrari 250 TR for $12,156,252 (€9,020,000), a new world record for most expensive car to be sold at auction.  What does it take to beat a Zenn electric car and a Toyota Prius in cross-town driving? A pair of wheels and some leg-power. In the sixth annual Commuter Race in San Jose...
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| GRID Iron: Honda S2000 successor independently rendered
May 28, 2009 at 1:00 pm
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|  Lars Martensson's Honda S2000 concept - click above for a high-res gallery Late yesterday, we showed you the handiwork of 3D rendering guru Lars Martensson (a.k.a. 'GRID'), who had applied his skills to a future vision of a new Subaru WRX STI. Today, we bring you the skilled Swede's take on what a next-generation Honda S2000 roadster might look like. Caterpillar-infested Honda Civic - Click above for a high-res image gallery For sale: One fourth-generation Honda Civic hatchback. Slightly faded red exterior paint with lots of squiggly black lines. Toyota Prius - Click above for a high-res image gallery Toyota Prius fans in the UK have a little something to celebrate today. Prices for the upcoming third-generation... Ariel Atom 500 V8 - Click either image for a high-res image gallery When it comes to power and lightweight, enough is never enough. And so, Ariel (finally) gives us the Atom 500 V8...  One Millionth SYNC: Click above to view the high-res gallery Ford and SYNC have combined to be the peanut butter and jelly of automotive tech combo deals. 80% of the vehicles Ford sells now has the infotainment system...
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| Hyundai Will Pay You to Buy a Car - Kind Of
May 28, 2009 at 12:48 pm
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|  Hyundai has been good at generating marketing buzz during the economic downturn, and now the company is at it again. In January, it announced the Hyundai Assurance program, which allows consumers to return their new Hyundai without hurting their credit if they lose their job. Then there was Assurance Plus, a one-time payment to the lender that is equal to 90 days of a loan or lease payment. Now a new commercial tells consumers that if they buy a vehicle between now and June 30, Hyundai will send them money for six months.  Volkswagen Bluesport concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery Due to the distinct lack of people spending money on emotional purchases, Volkswagen is reportedly...  2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery Jeremy Clarkson's disdain for the Honda Insight was pretty much a foregone conclusion, leaving the way in which...  Curious why automakers are struggling? Look no further than these ten terrible car commercials. Celine Dion, suicidal robots, and contagious catchphrases combine to make us want to never buy another new car again.  2012 Tesla Model S prototype Bentley Continental Supersports out for a test drive Played like a cheap ukulele -- Yesterday we highlighted a mysterious (and possibly...
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| BREAKING: Visteon reportedly files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
May 28, 2009 at 10:28 am
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|  According to Automotive News, Visteon Corp. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The Michigan-based tier-1 supplier was spun off from the Ford Motor Company back in 2000, and it has struggled ever since. The filing took place in a Delaware courtroom, where the company has listed total assets of $4.58 billion and total debt of $5.3 million. One Millionth SYNC: Click above to view the high-res gallery Ford and SYNC have combined to be the peanut butter and jelly of automotive tech combo deals. 80% of the vehicles Ford sells now has the infotainment system...  Facing a looming June 1 deadline to reach agreements with the bondholders and union, General Motors may have failed to come to terms with the former, but it has reportedly arrived at a tentative concessions agreement with latter. Tezzari Zero - Click above for a high-res image gallery Interested in the chance to purchase the very first Tazzari ZERO sold in America? Good news then, you're free to bid on it on eBay.
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| New BMW 5-series GT gets more efficient 6-cylinder turbo engine
May 28, 2009 at 10:27 am
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| Following last week's announcement of the production version of the new BMW 5-series Gran Turismo comes a new more fuel efficient engine variant. For the last two years, BMW has offered a twin turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine in the 335i, 535i and X5. When the new 535i Gran Turismo launches this fall it will be powered by a new single turbo edition of the same engine. Like the twin turbo, the new unit is also direct fuel injection with piezo injectors. Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 - Click above for a high-res image gallery The Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 has been rumored for months and its finally ready for its close-up before sales begin in the UK this June.  click above for a high res gallery of the Honda CR-Z concept Following the introduction of the second generation Insight, Honda has recommitted itself to developing hybrid drive vehicles.  2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery Despite the departure of controversial lead designer Chris Bangle, BMW is showing no signs of returning to the "One sausage, three-sizes" styling brief that it once adhered to.  BMW plans for boosting and lifting automotive rear ends continue with the BMW 5-Series GT. While we already saw the concept in Geneva, these are the first official shots of the production version...
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| Microsoft CEO gets 1,000,000th Ford with SYNC
May 28, 2009 at 10:19 am
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| One Millionth SYNC: Click above to view the high-res gallery Ford and SYNC have combined to be the peanut butter and jelly of automotive tech combo deals. 80% of the vehicles Ford sells now has the infotainment system, helping the Blue Oval and Microsoft reach 1 million sales of the infotainment system in less than two years.  It's taken a little more than two years for Ford to build 1 million vehicles with the Sync entertainment and communications system, and it marked the milestone by having... A woeful sales environment and the financial struggles of General Motors and Chrysler will set the auto sales hierarchy on end in 2009. At least that's how IHS Global Insight sees things.  Nascar: Tony Stewart won his first race as a team owner on Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Too bad it was in the non-points paying All-Star event. Nevertheless Stewart...  A 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa once again blew away the competition, setting a world record for cars sold at auction when it fetched an eye-popping $12.1 million Sunday at an event on the grounds of the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy.
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| Driving Chevy's Volt isn't special, and that's good:
May 28, 2009 at 10:01 am
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| We've had our first taste of the drive system under development for General Motors' pioneering Chevrolet Volt, piloting a test mule based on the Chevrolet Cruze at the company's Warren (Mich.) Technical Center, and it left us hungering for more. Yes, it's an electric car, but mostly, it's a car--one you could imagine driving every day without feeling as if you were engaged in a lab experiment.  Volkswagen's sleek new Scirocco may never make it to America, but Europeans are already lining up for a performance version of the Golf-based coupe. The Scirocco R gets VW's 261-horsepower turbocharged direct-injection 2.  Click above for a hi-res gallery There'll be no more Prius parked in the garage of City of Toronto Mayor, David Miller. The vintage 2003 Toyota import was chagrined to learn...  I was recently told by Volt vehicle line executive Frank Weber that "the gas tank will be between 6 and 10 gallons." Below is some further detail I was given by Volt lead engineer...  The car above is the pace car for this year's Indianapolis 500, a special edition 2010 Camaro. If you want to see it in action, then you'll need to watch the race -- Chevrolet...
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| Schwarzenegger: California will support hydrogen, always
May 28, 2009 at 9:37 am
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|  Gov. Schwarzenegger at the SAE in April - click for a high res gallery
Previous reports of the death of California's hydrogen highway might have been premature...  Following the lead of many other countries, the Japanese government recently decided to try and boost sales of green cars with a tax reduction. While the definition of a green car varies... A Hummer that gets the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon or more? That's something even President Barack Obama could live with — not to mention California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the unquestioned celebrity champion for Hummers.  On the same day that President Obama announced tough new CAFE standards for new cars in the coming half-decade, Ford began production of its new, more efficient EcoBoost engine in Ohio.  For the past few months, we've been running a weekly series on AutoblogGreen called Greenlings. Now that the archive has been built up a bit, it's time to formally introduce the series to you, explain what it's about and invite you to help us out.  Honda Civic GX - click above for high-res image gallery We recently discussed the benefits and challenges of running a car on natural gas. If that inspired you to think about making the switch...
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| REPORT: VW planning Polo-based mini MPV
May 28, 2009 at 9:30 am
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| Next up to announce a miniature MPV is Volkswagen, said to be eying its Polo for conversion to a (little) people hauler. In Europe such a car would go against competition like the Opel Meriva and Fiat Qubo. A VW board member suggested that such a car would be about adding to the company's small car variety, and it wants to have the right mix of offerings when the recovery comes. According to a recent study conducted by JPMorgan, hybrid sales are about to take off. Last year, there were some 480,000 total hybrid vehicles sold around the world, which represents less than one percent of global sales. Audi R8 V12 TDI concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery According to dueling reports on Auto Motor und Sport in Germany and L'Automobile in France, Audi may...  Mark McNabb loves a challenge. After working for General Motors for 13 months leading Cadillac, Hummer, and Saab, McNabb announced his resignation last week as of June 1.
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| Survey Says: One in five cars sold in U.S. by 2020 will be a hybrid
May 28, 2009 at 9:28 am
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| According to a recent study conducted by JPMorgan, hybrid sales are about to take off. Last year, there were some 480,000 total hybrid vehicles sold around the world, which represents less than one percent of global sales. By 2020, though, JPMorgan predicts that 11.28 million hybrids will be sold annually, representing over 13-percent of all vehicles sold.  When it comes to horsepower, it's always tempting to declare that some new beast of a car has edged over the brink of excess. On the topic of the Bugatti Veyron, Pierre Henri-Raphanel...  We love cars. We even bathe, polish, and prune our autos, but we're quite sure we've never taken our obsession this far. According to the UK's Telegraph, Edward Smith freely admits he has had 'sex' with over 1...  Now that the current version of the Astra is going to be replaced, perhaps it's time to remember the previous generation. This model didn't make it to the States but was quite popular in Europe.  We ran the 14th race in 24 Hours Of LeMons history last weekend, and in many ways it was the best one yet. Faster cars, better driving… and more grenaded engines! The always-in-contention Eyesore Racing team...
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| REPORT: McNabb left GM premium post for Maserati position
May 28, 2009 at 8:44 am
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| Mark McNabb loves a challenge. After working for General Motors for 13 months leading Cadillac, Hummer, and Saab, McNabb announced his resignation last week as of June 1. His destination, it turns out, is Maserati, where he'll replace former North American CEO Marti Eulberg, Who resigned last month after less than a year on the job. After failing to convince bondholders to restructure General Motors Corp.'s debt, the automaker's board of directors is to meet at the end of the week to decide the company's fate. Facing a looming June 1 deadline to reach agreements with the bondholders and union, General Motors may have failed to come to terms with the former, but it has reportedly arrived at a tentative concessions agreement with latter.  General Motors is teetering ever closer to the brink of bankruptcy today, as the automaker's exchange offer for its outstanding debt fell "substantially" short of the necessary take-rate.
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| Audi to unveil all-electric R8 supercar in Frankfurt?
May 28, 2009 at 8:33 am
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| Audi R8 V12 TDI concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery According to dueling reports on Auto Motor und Sport in Germany and L'Automobile in France, Audi may be set to release an all-electric version of its awesome R8 supercar at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. At this point, we have no other details as to what may be powering the electric R8, but there's a possibility that it may also sport a diesel engine acting as a range extender.  They have strictly restricted those driving experiences to the vehicle's charge depleting mode. Outsiders thus only have the experience of driving the car in pure electric mode without the gas generator running. Lexus LF-A Nurburgring - Click above for a high-res image gallery Last year's reports about the demise of the Lexus LF-A may have been greatly exaggerated, and according to the fabulists at AutoExpress...  Hyundai Genesis Coupe navigation system prototype – Click above for high-res image gallery When Hyundai's sparkling Genesis Coupe debuted earlier this year, we... Audi R8 V10 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Reports out of France and Germany indicate that in addition to the all-new A8 and A5 Sportback, Audi plans to reveal two versions of the R8 at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.
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| Corvette Z06 GT1: When Is More Too Much?
May 28, 2009 at 7:32 am
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| When it comes to horsepower, it's always tempting to declare that some new beast of a car has edged over the brink of excess. On the topic of the Bugatti Veyron, Pierre Henri-Raphanel, Bugatti's test driver, told me that there would never be another car like it.  Click above for high-res gallery of the Pratt & Miller LMP1 Corvette that never was Autoblog friend and sports car racing junkie, Mike Laney, recently got the chance to tour Pratt & Miller (a.  Withfresh fluids in the rest of the drivetrain, it is now time to turn our attention to the axle lubrication. Where as westated that the transfer case fluid leads a relatively easy life, the same is not true of the rear axle.  Karvajal Designs ZX-1 - Click above for a high-res image gallery Karvajal Designs has been displaying its Chevrolet Corvette-altering wares for some time, and it's finally giving up the details on its line of C6 exterior and engine modifications.  Automotive designers in 1999 foresaw a 2009 populated by compressed natural gas-powered cars, huge 16-cylinder engines and crossover vehicles. At least they got one right.
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| Visteon files for bankruptcy
May 28, 2009 at 7:25 am
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| VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP ? Auto parts supplier Visteon Corp. said early this morning it ? along with some of its U.S. units ? has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, as the company struggles with reduced demand from automakers amid plans for extended plant shutdowns this summer. The company filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The company's Visteon UK Ltd. unit separately filed for bankruptcy protection last month and closed three British plants.  DETROIT - At 789 Chrysler lots across America sit 44,000 potential bargains, cars and trucks that are stuck between shellshocked dealers and a troubled company that no longer wants their services.
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| AutoblogGreen for 05.28.09
May 28, 2009 at 5:40 am
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|  Blast from 1969: GM ad for Stirling-engine hybrid, the Stir-Lec I
Seen this before? A bit of green hype focused on unavailable but very cool sounding technology from GM.  click above to see the full ad We've seen GM's very ahead-of-the-curve Stir-Lec concept before, but BangShift has found another old magazine ad scan to share with the rest of the class internet. Toyota's third-generation Prius couldn't come at a better time for the automaker. Sales of just about every one of the company's models are down, and the Aishi, Japan-based automaker lost $7.  On June 3rd, Miles EV will unveil their new, highway-speed all-electric 4-door sedan and offer up the first test rides. A new strategic partner for the automaker best know for its low-speed vehicles will also be named. 2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery When car buyers think of hybrids, the name that most often springs to mind is the Toyota Prius since it...
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| BONDHOLDERS REJECT COMPROMISE: GM bankruptcy 'all but inevitable'
May 28, 2009 at 3:13 am
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| After failing to convince bondholders to restructure General Motors Corp.'s debt, the automaker's board of directors is to meet at the end of the week to decide the company's fate. The decision, to many, already seems clear: bankruptcy. "It's all but inevitable," said Anthony Sabino, a bankruptcy expert at St. John's University in New York. "Unless a majority of these parties suddenly ... pull themselves back from the edge of an incredible abyss ... there will be a bankruptcy filing." Mark McNabb loves a challenge. After working for General Motors for 13 months leading Cadillac, Hummer, and Saab, McNabb announced his resignation last week as of June 1. They have strictly restricted those driving experiences to the vehicle's charge depleting mode. Outsiders thus only have the experience of driving the car in pure electric mode without the gas generator running.
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