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| Volvo prices new normally-aspirated XC60 3.2 from $33,245*
June 5, 2009 at 5:50 pm
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|   2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for a high-res image gallery In addition to the turbocharged 3.0-liter T6 model, Volvo has introduced a new, less expensive 3.2-liter variant of the 2010 XC60, with pricing starting at $32,395 for the front-wheel drive model and $34,395 for the AWD version (*plus $850 in destination charges). The inline six is the same mill that motivates the S80, putting out 235 hp and 236 lb-ft through a six-speed automatic gearbox, and returning a claimed 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.  Ford Ranger mule – Click above for high-res image gallery of spy shots As we've previously reported, Ford engineers in Australia are hard at work on the next-generation Ranger pickup, reportedly codenamed T6.  Sebastian Vettel en route to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy – Click above for a high-res image gallery It's not every day that we get to see an F1 car out on city streets, but then again, we don't live in Italy.  Ural T sidecar motorcycle - Click above for a high-res image gallery Those interested in hearkening back to the old days of motorcycling can probably find exactly what they're looking for at their nearest Ural dealership.  Mitsubishi i MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery Mitsubishi launched series production of its iMiEV electric car today at its Okayama, Japan factory. Mitsubishi...
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| This may be the perfect weekend to buy a car
June 5, 2009 at 5:50 pm
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|   DES MOINES, Iowa - If you're looking for a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep, this just might be your weekend. Chrysler dealers who will lose their right to sell new cars as early as Tuesday need to unload the remaining cars and trucks on their lot or face getting stuck with them. Chrysler, which has filed for bankruptcy protection, has told 789 dealerships they'll no longer have a contract to sell new cars after next week.  Some car companies are well-known for their low-emissions offerings: the Tesla Roadster, the Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius come to mind. Get ready to add Lamborghini to the list...  Getting to own an electric car can be expensive. The bar looks even higher if you're a group of high school students. Students at the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville, NC decided to use cars to buy a car.  After filing for bankruptcy protection, General Motors is pushing a new ad campaign promising it will emerge from its financial troubles leaner and stronger. Is this...  Within three years, Chrysler LLC's model line could stretch from massive Hemi-V8-powered Dodge Ram pickups to a tiny two-cylinder city car -- and possibly one or more electric vehicles.
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| SURVEY: Does your state have the smartest drivers... or the dumbest?
June 5, 2009 at 5:48 pm
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|  Raise your hand if you think your home state has the worst drivers in America. Now, lower your hands if you don't happen to live in either New York or New Jersey. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that the average driver in your particular state is all that great, regardless of what city you choose to call home. According to this year's GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, an alarming 20.1% of licensed Americans would not pass a written drivers test exam if taken today.  There are all kinds of reasons why one might want to drive an electric vehicle (EV). Perhaps you're concerned about the environmental damage done by oil exploration, recovery, refining, and the eventual burning of carbon-based fuels.  Coda sedan - click above for a high res live gallery Unfortunately, we didn't have anyone from the ABG team available locally to attend the unveiling of the new Coda electric sedan earlier this week in Santa Monica.  Senior citizens who are at heightened risk for heart attack and strokes or those with diabetes often stop driving to keep both themselves and other motorists safe in the event that they have a medical issue while behind the wheel. 2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for a high-res image gallery In addition to the turbocharged 3.0-liter T6 model, Volvo has introduced a new, less expensive 3.2-liter variant of the 2010 XC60...
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| Live coverage of the Coda EV including interior photos
June 5, 2009 at 5:46 pm
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|  Coda sedan - click above for a high res live gallery Unfortunately, we didn't have anyone from the ABG team available locally to attend the unveiling of the new Coda electric sedan earlier this week in Santa Monica. However, it pays to have friends in sunny places, including our pal Mike Levine. Mike took a break from his coverage of pickup trucks to go check out the new EV and came away somewhat disappointed.  There's some competition for the Tesla Model S. Santa Monica, Calif.-based Coda Automotive unveiled its first electric car on Wednesday, and it's no golf cart. The Chinese-made...  Headquartered in Santa Monica California the new company stated its intentions to mass produce a pure electric sedan. The 4-door 5-passenger unassuming sedan will be powered by lithium ion batteries made by Lishen Co.  SANTA MONICA, California - The first electric sedan you're likely to see in showrooms could come from a company you've never heard of and cost more than you're willing to pay.  click above for a high res gallery of the Code EV sedan Today, Miles EV announced that the full speed electric car that it has been developing for the last several years will bear the new Coda Automotive brand.
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| BMW working on system that stops vehicles during a medical emergency
June 5, 2009 at 5:29 pm
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| Senior citizens who are at heightened risk for heart attack and strokes or those with diabetes often stop driving to keep both themselves and other motorists safe in the event that they have a medical issue while behind the wheel. Others ignore the risk factors and continue to drive until something happens to themselves or others, while still others often suffer completely unforeseen medical events.  WASHINGTON ? Fighting to survive, top executives from General Motors and Chrysler today defended their decisions to slash dealerships around the country, calling the moves unavoidable despite the pain to many loyal dealers and customers.  Hamann Rolls-Royce Phantom – Click above for a high-res image gallery With seemingly ever luxury automaker under the sun going after BMW's coveted balance between sport and luxury...  Click the image above to view the video after the jump Just because a vehicle has a high riding stance and all-wheel drive, that doesn't qualify it as an off-roader. That's...  SYNC has given Ford a much-needed technology boost. The infotainment device provides motorists with features such as voice-controlled integration with MP3 players and automatic calls to emergency services in the event of an accident.
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| Greenlings: Can I convert a gas vehicle to electric?
June 5, 2009 at 5:27 pm
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| There are all kinds of reasons why one might want to drive an electric vehicle (EV). Perhaps you're concerned about the environmental damage done by oil exploration, recovery, refining, and the eventual burning of carbon-based fuels. Maybe you just hate handing money over to huge companies with seemingly no ethical integrity. Whatever your reason for oil animosity, one way to quench your desire to be free of the stuff is to drive an electrically-powered vehicle. Whether they have two, three or four wheels, EVs are a feasible alternative for most of your transportation needs.  Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has priced its new electric vehicle at 4.38 million yen, or $45,660 at current exchange rates, and wants EVs to account for 20 percent of its global output by 2020.  General Motors remains committed to the Chevrolet Volt and says bankruptcy will not stop the range-extended electric vehicle from rolling off an assembly line next year.  When CalMotors did the electric drivetrain integration engineering for the eRuf project last year, they used an electric motor from UQM. Becoming decidedly more serious about working in the electric and hybrid vehicle space...  GM officially announced this morning a preliminary agreement's been reached to sell the Hummer brand out of a desire to look like a company building vehicles more in line with what Washington politicians believe 'merica wants.
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| Court OKs Chrysler sale
June 5, 2009 at 4:56 pm
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|   NEW YORK ? A U.S. appeals court says it approved Chrysler's sale to Fiat but is keeping the deal on hold until Monday to allow an appeal. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says it will block the sale until 4 p.m. Detroit time Monday unless the U.S. Supreme Court says it will not hear appeals from objectors.  In a letter from California Congressman Darrell Issa to Chrysler's Bob Nardelli, the Auburn Hills executive is charged with failing to disclose information regarding the sale of the Dodge Viper line.  The state of Indiana has a big problem with Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings. Indiana state treasurer Richard Mourdock explained that "Indiana retirees and Indiana taxpayers...  When it comes to dealership closings, there is a big divide between what General Motors, Chrysler and President Obama's auto task force want and what dealers and Congress want.
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| Spira Foam Car Inspired By Crocs
June 5, 2009 at 4:30 pm
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|   Surrounded by six inches of foam, Spira claims their vehicle is the ideal solution not only to pedestrian impact protection, but to the average vehicle's lack of sex appeal and flotation too. Powered by a 110cc scooter engine, the Spira foam car returns 100 MPG, weighs just 302 Lbs and tops out at 70 MPH. Built using common motorcycle parts, Lon Ballard, the vehicle's inventor, suggests it could use any bike engine you want. DES MOINES, Iowa - If you're looking for a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep, this just might be your weekend. Chrysler dealers who will lose their right to sell new cars as... There are all kinds of reasons why one might want to drive an electric vehicle (EV). Perhaps you're concerned about the environmental damage done by oil exploration, recovery, refining, and the eventual burning of carbon-based fuels. Coda sedan - click above for a high res live gallery Unfortunately, we didn't have anyone from the ABG team available locally to attend the unveiling of the new Coda electric sedan earlier this week in Santa Monica. Senior citizens who are at heightened risk for heart attack and strokes or those with diabetes often stop driving to keep both themselves and other motorists safe in the event that they have a medical issue while behind the wheel.
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| REPORT: Mitsubishi launches production of the iMiEV in Japan
June 5, 2009 at 4:20 pm
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|  Mitsubishi i MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery
Mitsubishi has launched series production of its iMiEV electric car at its Okayama, Japan factory... 2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for a high-res image gallery In addition to the turbocharged 3.0-liter T6 model, Volvo has introduced a new, less expensive 3.2-liter variant of the 2010 XC60...  Handing over a $1.4 million electric car to a blog is interesting, especially when the company operates a "you break it, you buy it" policy. Can the 268 HP Protoscar Lampo...  click above for a high res gallery of the production Mitsubishi iMiEV In conjunction with the launch of series production of its iMiEV yesterday, Mitsubishi has released a whole batch of new images. Ford Ranger mule – Click above for high-res image gallery of spy shots As we've previously reported, Ford engineers in Australia are hard at work on the next-generation Ranger pickup, reportedly codenamed T6.
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| Chinese government unlikely to approve Hummer purchase deal?
June 5, 2009 at 4:18 pm
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|  According to a report from Bloomberg, state-owned Chinese news agency Shanghai Securities News is predicting that it is unlikely the Chinese government will approve the purchase of Hummer from General Motors by Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. Why? Apparently, China actually wants to reduce the number of automakers operating within its borders and favors keeping manufacturers with an eye towards fuel efficiency. Of all the labels people have put on the Hummer brand, fuel efficient hasn't exactly been one of them. According to Tim Payne, a spokesman for Tengzhong:  Today they have announced that they have a proposed contract with the Penske Automotive Group to acquire the Saturn brand. The price tag will be between $100 and $200 million...  PSA/Peugeot-Citroen incoming CEO Philippe Varin (left) and chairman Thierry Peugeot (right) It's buddy-up time in the European auto industry, and French automaker PSA/Peugeot-Citroen does not want to be left all by itself. Mitsubishi i MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery Mitsubishi launched series production of its iMiEV electric car today at its Okayama, Japan factory. Mitsubishi...  Hummer HX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery Now that General Motors has all but officially offloaded the HUMMER brand to Chinese machinery and equipment manufacturer Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd.
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| VIDEO: From the cockpit of the Brammo Enertia TTR
June 5, 2009 at 4:08 pm
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|  Click above to watch the video after the break Curious what it might be like to pilot what's very likely one of the world's fastest electric motorcycles? While it's not quite the same as piloting the machine yourself, the next best thing has been pasted after the jump, where you'll see footage from a couple of small bullet-style cameras mounted to the fairing of the Brammo Enertia TTR race bike.  Pattner receives the keys in Ingolstadt – Click above for a high-res image gallery There are road trips and there are road trips. This one is a fine example of the latter.  Click above to watch the Corvette Grand Sport launch control The Corvette Grand Sport features a launch control so simple your little sister could use it while she puts on her mascara at the light.  Brammo Enertia TTR race bike - Click above for a high-res image gallery Best Buy has hopped on as an official sponsor of the Brammo Enertia race team, which will be campaigning...  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.
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| LPG-fueled Chevy Spark launched in India
June 5, 2009 at 4:07 pm
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|  Chevrolet has just launched a factory LPG conversion of the little Spark in the Indian market. The Spark is re-badged version of the Daewoo Matiz sold in most of Asia. While there are a number of after-market conversions available, this is the first factory installation. Like most such installations, this is a bi-fuel setup that allows the driver to switch between running on LPG or gasoline depending on what is available.  Chris Duffey - East Bay Express The California Air Resources Board has modified a proposed rule that would have likely put most plug-in hybrid conversion shops in the state out of business.  Tata's dirt-cheap Nano microcar, which is a huge hit in India even before it hits the streets, just might be headed to America. The Indian automaker says it would have...  The lowest rung on the Chevrolet car ladder currently is home to the Aveo. But that car is scheduled to be replaced midway through 2010 with a new model. Spy shooters have captured engineers testing a prototype of the new car...  Earlier this week, the Automobiles editor, James G. Cobb, shared his story about growing up with a 1955 Chevy, and many of you wrote in with your own G.M. stories. We are highlighting some of them throughout the week.  John Schnatter's 1972 Chevrolet Camaro – Click above for high-res image gallery It's inconceivable that in 1984 there was any young man in America under 30 that did not love both pizza and the Camaro Z-28.
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| eBay Find of the Day: 1999 Packard Twelve concept car
June 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm
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|  1999 Packard Twelve concept - Click above for an image gallery The Packard nameplate is one steeped in rich heritage, having produced its first automobile way back in 1899. Unfortunately, the Detroit-based builder of eminently luxurious and opulent automobiles hit dire straits in the years closely following World War II and eventually merged with Studebaker in 1954. Not long after, the last real Packard rolled unceremoniously down the assembly line in August of 1956. Or did it?  The automotive gods haven't quite answered our prayers by bringing us the amazing BlueSport roadster, but they've given us reason to be hopeful. There are increasing signs...  A 1936 Bugatti Type 57C coupe, built as a gift for Ettore Bugatti, will be on the block at Gooding & Co.?s auction during the Pebble Beach Concours d?Elegance this August. The lowest rung on the Chevrolet car ladder currently is home to the Aveo. But that car is scheduled to be replaced midway through 2010 with a new model. Spy shooters have captured engineers testing a prototype of the new car... General Motors remains committed to the Chevrolet Volt and says bankruptcy will not stop the range-extended electric vehicle from rolling off an assembly line next year.
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| Take A Ride on the Brammo Electric Race Bike
June 5, 2009 at 3:55 pm
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|  Brammo sent us some video shot from the cockpit of the Enertia TTR race bike it's bringing to the TTxGP motorcycle grand prix on the Isle of Man. As good as the bike looks standing still, it looks even better on the road. We're eager to take it for a ride, and we'd love to see what it can do against the Mission One and the MotoCzysz E1pc electric motorcycles also competing in the June 12 race. Brammo recently signed up Best Buy as a sponsor, ensuring it has the cash it needs to compete. The race has drawn 18 teams. Click above to watch the video after the break Curious what it might be like to pilot what's very likely one of the world's fastest electric motorcycles? While it's not quite the same as piloting the machine yourself...  Motoczysz E1pc - Click above for an image gallery Finally, speculation on the appearance of the Motoczysz E1pc can end as the fledgling American motorcycle maker has released...  We've got just one thing to say about the motorcycle MotoCzysz is running in the TTxGP green grand prix: Damn. Make that hot damn. Wes Siler over at Hell for Leather got his Alpinestar-clad hands on a leaked photo...  The guys at Mission Motors have been working like mad preparing for the upcoming TTxGP green motorcycle grand prix and they sent us some video of their sexy bike on the track.
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| 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI, Part Three
June 5, 2009 at 3:30 pm
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|  The 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI is frugal and fun, but its DSG transmission doesn't suit the diesel engine. Should you buy one? Why you should buy the 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI: You want a car that's pretty fast and very frugal and your Labrador hates being left at home. You want a practical, economical family car, but you haven't been brainwashed into thinking your only option once you're pregnant with your first child is a 9-seat Suburban.  Yesterday we reveled in the frugal performance of the VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI's diesel engine, but bemoaned the awful DSG gearbox. Join us today as we examine the Jetta's abilities in detail.  Conventional car enthusiast wisdom states the VW Jetta TDI is the thinking man's fuel-efficient car. Free of the complication, sacrificed driving dynamics and image of hybrids, it makes do with diesel instead.  May was another dismal month for car sales pretty much everywhere, including Volkswagen. There was however one bright spot at VW: sales of its Jetta TDI. Overall, sales of the Jetta were up 27.  The Japanese market has never been particularly fond of diesel cars, but Subaru is getting ready to try anyway. Subaru launched its first diesel boxer engine in Europe in 2008 and so far has sold over 30,000 examples.
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| Congressional letter alleges Nardelli and Chrysler failed to disclose more lucrative offers for Viper
June 5, 2009 at 2:59 pm
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| In a letter from California Congressman Darrell Issa to Chrysler's Bob Nardelli, the Auburn Hills executive is charged with failing to disclose information regarding the sale of the Dodge Viper line. According to the letter obtained by Autoblog from a source close to the situation, the Republican congressman cites Nardelli's explanation as part of the automaker's bankruptcy proceeding that there was "a lack of 'purchaser interest in response to the offering of Chrysler's Connor Avenue Viper manufacturing plant for $10 million." And yet, NEW YORK ? A U.S. appeals court says it approved Chrysler's sale to Fiat but is keeping the deal on hold until Monday to allow an appeal. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says it will block the sale until 4 p. The state of Indiana has a big problem with Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings. Indiana state treasurer Richard Mourdock explained that "Indiana retirees and Indiana taxpayers... When it comes to dealership closings, there is a big divide between what General Motors, Chrysler and President Obama's auto task force want and what dealers and Congress want.
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| HP2G acrimoniously drops out of Auto X Prize
June 5, 2009 at 2:42 pm
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|  January was a simpler time for the relationship between Doug Pelmear/Horse Power Sales (makers of the HP2G engine that was in the Mustang we saw in Detroit a few months ago) and the Automotive X Prize. Back then, the two were happy neighbors in the NAIAS basement (the smelly, smelly basement). No longer.  It's an epidemic folks: new muscle cars seem to be afflicted with difficult-to-balance wheels. First, it was the Camaro, then the Mustang, and now we can add the Challenger to the list.  Lotus' relationship with Toyota could extend beyond supplying drivetrains for the Elise, Exige and Evora, with three new engines sourced from Lexus rumored to be fitted to the 2012 Lotus Esprit.  Dirigo - Click above for an image gallery One of the cars participating in the One Gallon Challenge is the Dirigo three wheeler. Built by Bill Buchholz, the Dirigo is...  ExerTrike Tri-Hybrids - Click above for a gallery While we wait for the $10 million Automotive X Prize road races to get started, our old friend Jory Squibb is organizing...
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| Bugatti's Bugatti To Bring Big Bucks
June 5, 2009 at 2:35 pm
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|  The Bugatti Type 57C is as rare as it is beautiful, with just 710 built between 1934 and 1940. They're all highly collectible and frightfully expensive, but this 1936 model is just a little more so because it is the car Ettore Bugatti himself drove. The car goes on the block during the super-glitzy Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August, and auction officials think the final bid could top the record-setting $12.1 million paid last month for a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa.  Ettore Bugatti's own 1936 Bugatti Type 57C – Click above for a high-res image gallery The concept of an "ordinary Bugatti" doesn't exist, all the more so when you're talking about the ultra-desirable Type 57. A 1936 Bugatti Type 57C coupe, built as a gift for Ettore Bugatti, will be on the block at Gooding & Co.?s auction during the Pebble Beach Concours d?Elegance this August.  General Motor is attempting to cushion the blow of dealers losing their franchises as part of the automaker's bid to pare down its network. According to Automotive News...  Duracar Quicc Diva - Click above for a complete gallery Bad news from Dutch EV entrepreneur Duracar, manufacturer of the Quicc Diva: The company that owns Duracar, Econcern, is shutting down because it can't repay part of its $1 million debt.
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| Mitsubishi Evo Destroyed Filming Top Gear Season 13
June 5, 2009 at 2:30 pm
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|  Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson's no stranger to unleashing military might on passenger cars. His latest exploit appears to involve a white Evo VII. Perhaps his greatest move in the genre was when he went medieval on a Corvette in a helicopter equipped with two miniguns. It is also the clip I post here with a significant amount of trepidation, hoping that y’all will not feel compelled to subject your crazy Euro car boy to similar treatment. Do note that I like Corvettes a great deal. Still—it’s hilarious television.  Jeremy Clarkson kills a Mitsubishi Evo – Click above for high-res gallery The automotive enthusiast world is waiting with bated breath to see what the chaps at Top Gear have up their clever sleeves for season 13.  Here around Autoblog's virtual offices, there are few things on which we love to spend our down time more than watching Top Gear and playing on our Xbox 360. So it comes...  Audi Q7 V12 TDI - Click above for a high res gallery Last year, Audi announced the most insane version of its Q7 SUV yet in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI. The V12 is an all-new diesel engine that...  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.
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| GM Re:tardation Site Parodies GM Ad Campaign, Mocks Carpocalypse
June 5, 2009 at 2:00 pm
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|  Think GM's new "Re:Invention" ad campaign is a bit of a joke? A spoof site called GM Re:tardation's sprung up to take on their new marketing silliness. Better, they've put together a spot-on commercial parody as well. See it below. Today they have announced that they have a proposed contract with the Penske Automotive Group to acquire the Saturn brand. The price tag will be between $100 and $200 million...  GM will officially be selling the Saturn brand to Roger Penske for an unknown sum. GM will continue building Saturns on contract with Penske for them to distribute through Saturn's current dealer network. Full press release below.  Many of us ABers being in our early- to mid-30s, we're less amazed that another of our ilk has risen to a decisive government position. We are, after all, a generation on the rise.
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| Report: GM to sell Saturn brand to Penske
June 5, 2009 at 11:40 am
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| DETROIT - General Motors Corp. has a tentative deal to sell its Saturn brand to former race car driver and dealership group owner Roger Penske, according to two people briefed on the deal. GM has scheduled a conference call for Friday morning to discuss the sale, and Penske will be on the call along with Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the deal has not been made public. GM will officially be selling the Saturn brand to Roger Penske for an unknown sum. GM will continue building Saturns on contract with Penske for them to distribute through Saturn's current dealer network. Full press release below.  From our colleagues at DealBook: General Motors has agreed to sell its Saturn brand to Roger Penske, a major auto dealer, and a deal is expected to be announced on Friday, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said.
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| GM, Penske reach tentative agreement for Saturn brand
June 5, 2009 at 11:26 am
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| General Motors Corp. this morning announced a tentative deal for renowned Detroit businessman Roger Penske to acquire GM's struggling Saturn brand and distribution network. Penske's Saturn will continue to receive GM-made vehicles for two years, and is looking for another manufacturer to make vehicles that will bear the Saturn brand. GM will officially be selling the Saturn brand to Roger Penske for an unknown sum. GM will continue building Saturns on contract with Penske for them to distribute through Saturn's current dealer network. Full press release below. From our colleagues at DealBook: General Motors has agreed to sell its Saturn brand to Roger Penske, a major auto dealer, and a deal is expected to be announced on Friday, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said.
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| Sebastian Vettel drives his Toro Rosso on public streets to pick up award
June 5, 2009 at 10:59 am
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| Sebastian Vettel en route to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy – Click above for a high-res image gallery It's not every day that we get to see an F1 car out on city streets, but then again, we don't live in Italy. That's the racing-crazed country that recently allowed Sebastian Vettel to drive a grand prix racer across 12 kilometers of public roads to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy. GM will officially be selling the Saturn brand to Roger Penske for an unknown sum. GM will continue building Saturns on contract with Penske for them to distribute through Saturn's current dealer network. Full press release below.  Volkswagen Bluesport Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery After getting an exclusive first drive of the Volkswagen BlueSport roadster, the lucky scribes from AutoWeek write of the machine as if it's likely headed for production.  Bright IDEA EV van - click above for a high-res gallery Bright automotive not only introduced the IDEA PHEV van in Washington recently, but they also asked for grants.
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| REPORT: Volkswagen BlueSport ready for production, estimated cost: $30k. Will it happen?
June 5, 2009 at 10:46 am
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| Volkswagen Bluesport Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery After getting an exclusive first drive of the Volkswagen BlueSport roadster, the lucky scribes from AutoWeek write of the machine as if it's likely headed for production. This is contrary to earlier reports coming from an unnamed VW insider that indicated the program had been placed on hold due to the dire state of the global economy.  Lamborghini Reventón – Click above for a high-res image gallery If you've been waiting for Lamborghini to replace the aging Murcielago and were disappointed by recent reports that its successor may not arrive until 2012...  You knew that something like this was coming sooner or later: at least one of Magna's clients have found the supplier's majority stake in Opel to be a conflict of interest.  The old red Volkswagen Golf GTI screams to a halt. Before we know what's happening, its young driver leaps out and is firing questions in a broad southern German accent.  Tesla Roadster - Click above for a high-res image gallery From the first to the 100th and now to the 500th, the story of Tesla Motors and their initial offering - the Roadster - has been pretty heavily documented.
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| Penske Officially Buying Saturn From GM
June 5, 2009 at 10:45 am
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| GM will officially be selling the Saturn brand to Roger Penske for an unknown sum. GM will continue building Saturns on contract with Penske for them to distribute through Saturn's current dealer network. Full press release below. Many of us ABers being in our early- to mid-30s, we're less amazed that another of our ilk has risen to a decisive government position. We are, after all, a generation on the rise. From our colleagues at DealBook: General Motors has agreed to sell its Saturn brand to Roger Penske, a major auto dealer, and a deal is expected to be announced on Friday, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said.  Detroit business lion Roger Penske, who led the city's Super Bowl preparations and downtown cleanup program and revived Grand Prix racing on Belle Isle -- all while running the nation's No.
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| Bright thinks its a good IDEA to apply for DOE grants
June 5, 2009 at 10:43 am
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| Bright IDEA EV van - click above for a high-res gallery Bright automotive not only introduced the IDEA PHEV van in Washington recently, but they also asked for grants. Bright applied for two grants from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. The first one would be used to create a technical center for the design, development and validation of the batteries for the IDEA PHEV, as well as a battery pack manufacturing facility. Sebastian Vettel en route to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy – Click above for a high-res image gallery It's not every day that we get to see an F1 car out on city streets, but then again, we don't live in Italy. Ural T sidecar motorcycle - Click above for a high-res image gallery Those interested in hearkening back to the old days of motorcycling can probably find exactly what they're looking for at their nearest Ural dealership. Ettore Bugatti's own 1936 Bugatti Type 57C – Click above for a high-res image gallery The concept of an "ordinary Bugatti" doesn't exist, all the more so when you're talking about the ultra-desirable Type 57.  2010 Suzuki Kizashi - Click either image for a high-res gallery Spy shots of the upcoming Suzuki Kizashi are becoming rather common as the mid-size sedan gets ready to launch later this year...
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| Meet Brian Deese, the 31-year-old in charge of breaking up GM
June 5, 2009 at 10:43 am
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| Many of us ABers being in our early- to mid-30s, we're less amazed that another of our ilk has risen to a decisive government position. We are, after all, a generation on the rise. The surprising part about Brian Deese's story is that he's been instrumental in shaping the Obama administration's moves to save General Motors, and this is his first official tour of duty in Washington. When it comes to dealership closings, there is a big divide between what General Motors, Chrysler and President Obama's auto task force want and what dealers and Congress want.  With a little help from Fiat and the U.S. government, among others, it seems Chrysler and GM are both on a pathway to solvency — or are they? On June 1, President Barack...  General Motors' bankruptcy filing is only a few days old, but the struggling automaker already seems to be pressing ahead full steam. The General has already announced 14 plant closings...
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| Plug-In Prius Coming This Year
June 5, 2009 at 9:53 am
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|  Toyota's third-gen Prius is already a huge hit in Japan, and the automaker plans to lease a plug-in version to corporate and municipal customers by the end of the year. Just 200 are slated for release in Japan under a joint program with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry aimed at promoting the adoption of plug-in hybrids and EVs. Although the new Prius - like all those that came before - uses a nickel metal hydride battery, the plug-in features a lithium-ion pack.  Yes friends, this is the new "Government Motors"-designed 2014 Chevy Camaro which, according to insider groups within the bankrupt automaker, is a muscle car designed to meet the new, more stringent CAFE standards.  It's official: Mitsubishi's adorable i-MiEV electric car hits the streets of Japan this year, and the automaker says the Lilliputian runabout is "the pioneer that will open the door to the next 100 years of our automobile society. You knew that something like this was coming sooner or later: at least one of Magna's clients have found the supplier's majority stake in Opel to be a conflict of interest.
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| ZAP working on all-electric pickup truck, wants to build in U.S.
June 5, 2009 at 9:44 am
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|  In addition to the planned Alias from ZAP, the electric vehicle company reportedly wants to branch into the electric pickup truck market as well. According to the latest in a long line of press releases from ZAP, the company has completed the engineering stage of a project to develop a four-wheel electric pickup. The company claims it plans to build the new EV right here in the United States using parts and components largely sourced from U.S. suppliers.  With MINI Es finally being delivered to the 450 test drivers in New York and California, a problem has cropped up that will limit the ability of many of those people to actually use the car. Mitsubishi i MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery Mitsubishi launched series production of its iMiEV electric car today at its Okayama, Japan factory. Mitsubishi...  Audi TT RS Coupe and Roadster - Click above for a high-res gallery Audi has released a plethora of new beautiful photographs of the Audi TT RS Coupe and Roadster, and...  We've finally uncovered the name of VW's as-of-last-we-heard-unnamed-or-maybe-something-more-robustly-named pickup truck. It'll be called the Volkswagen Amarok. The name comes from the Inuit Eskimo word for "wolf.
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| Biodiesel's water footprint? 14,000 liters per liter of biofuel
June 5, 2009 at 9:43 am
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|  We recently heard that, according to one group of researchers at Environmental Science & Technology magazine, corn ethanol has a water cost of 50 gallons per mile. Now, a team working from the University of Twente in the Netherlands has calculated the water cost of ethanol and other biofuels and to make bioelectricity. The results are not pretty. The researchers looked at 13 crops and tried to calculate the most efficient way to turn them into energy depending on where the crops were grown,  Here's a good one. How would you define alternative energy? Solar power? Wind turbines? Recycling waste grease into biodiesel? Well, if you're Rex Tillerson, the CEO of Exxon, then "alternative" energy has a very special meaning.  With the EURO-V emissions regulations coming into full effect this year, Mercedes Benz has updated the engine lineup for its big Sprinter vans. The Sprinter uses a range...  We talked about the uncommon but still serious cases of fires caused by biodiesel enthusiasts making the biofuel in their back yard just the other day. Even at industrial facilities...  Like most other countries with native automobile industries, China has implemented a Cash-For-Clunkers-style used car scapping program. Interestingly, the Chinese government is also subsidizing the replacement of old...
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| BREAKING: GM reportedly agrees to sell Saturn to Penske
June 5, 2009 at 9:38 am
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|  According to The New York Times, General Motors has come to terms with a consortium led by industry icon Roger Penske to sell its ailing Saturn brand. The agreement, which is expected to be announced later today, will apparently see Penske add Saturn brand and its stand-alone showroom network to his existing portfolio of 310 global dealers.
GM will officially be selling the Saturn brand to Roger Penske for an unknown sum. GM will continue building Saturns on contract with Penske for them to distribute through Saturn's current dealer network. Full press release below. Many of us ABers being in our early- to mid-30s, we're less amazed that another of our ilk has risen to a decisive government position. We are, after all, a generation on the rise.  Because of the Chrysler and General Motors bankruptcies, people looking for car bargains might find a few treasures. But they have to be prepared to act quickly and forgo considerations like resale value and vehicle reliability...
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| Forum Spy: 2010 Volvo C70 convertible snapped during Barcelona commercial shoot
June 5, 2009 at 9:34 am
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|  2010 Volvo C70 Spy Shots - Click above for a high-res gallery Swedespeed forum member al_bcn has managed to capture a pair of what looks to be Volvo's refreshed-for-2010 C70 convertibles totally undisguised. The topless twosome were caught galavanting around in Barcelona as they were apparently being shot for some sort of commercial. 2010 Suzuki Kizashi - Click either image for a high-res gallery Spy shots of the upcoming Suzuki Kizashi are becoming rather common as the mid-size sedan gets ready to launch later this year...  2011 BMW 1 Series - Click above for a high-res image gallery The BMW 1 Series is due for a thorough overhaul, and judging by these recent spy shots, the entry-level Bimmer is on track to be released late next year.  BMW M7? - Click above for a high-res image gallery It seems like every 12 months rumors of an M variant of the BMW 7 Series surface, and this year things are no different.  This is a real heart breaker. The guys and gals over at the Camaro5 forums are about as dedicated a group as you'll ever run into, and a number of the members have already picked up their hotly anticipated 2010 Chevrolet Camaros.  A forum user named "Puttz" at the Temple of VTEC took a picture of a manufacturer-plated CR-V in Dublin, Ohio near Honda's Marysville plant. In addition to a set of wheels that Puttz said were reminiscent of those on an RDX sketch...
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| G.M. Reaches Deal to Sell Saturn to Penske
June 5, 2009 at 9:33 am
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|  From our colleagues at DealBook: General Motors has agreed to sell its Saturn brand to Roger Penske, a major auto dealer, and a deal is expected to be announced on Friday, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said. The move is the latest by G.M. to sell off assets as it reorganizes itself in bankruptcy. Saturn, which was part of G.M.'s bankruptcy filing on Monday, had drawn 16 bidders over a months-long sales process, G.M. said earlier this week. Detroit business lion Roger Penske, who led the city's Super Bowl preparations and downtown cleanup program and revived Grand Prix racing on Belle Isle -- all while running the nation's No. General Motors' bankruptcy filing is only a few days old, but the struggling automaker already seems to be pressing ahead full steam. The General has already announced 14 plant closings...  Rollin Green, 24, has enjoyed the cumulative benefits of being in a General Motors Corp. family that went to work for the company in the 1940s, but that tradition may end with him.
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| Save your Rubles: Ural introduces new entry-level sidecar motorcycle
June 5, 2009 at 9:28 am
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| Ural T sidecar motorcycle - Click above for a high-res image gallery Those interested in hearkening back to the old days of motorcycling can probably find exactly what they're looking for at their nearest Ural dealership. The Russian motorcycle maker has just introduced its newest model, which is called simply the Ural T, and it appears to be a solid step backwards towards basic sidecar transportation – and we mean that in the best way possible. Sebastian Vettel en route to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy – Click above for a high-res image gallery It's not every day that we get to see an F1 car out on city streets, but then again, we don't live in Italy. Ettore Bugatti's own 1936 Bugatti Type 57C – Click above for a high-res image gallery The concept of an "ordinary Bugatti" doesn't exist, all the more so when you're talking about the ultra-desirable Type 57.  Auto Union D-Type Silver Arrow – Click above for a high-res image gallery The history of the notorious Silver Arrow racers parallels that of the nation which bore its birth. Lamborghini Reventón – Click above for a high-res image gallery If you've been waiting for Lamborghini to replace the aging Murcielago and were disappointed by recent reports that its successor may not arrive until 2012...
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| Underwriters Lab holdup means some MINI Es will take all day to charge
June 5, 2009 at 8:11 am
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| With MINI Es finally being delivered to the 450 test drivers in New York and California, a problem has cropped up that will limit the ability of many of those people to actually use the car. When MINI USA was taking applications for leases on the new EV, among the requirements were a garage with 220V electrical service. This was necessary in order to be able to charge the 35 kWh battery in four hours. When the car is delivered, MINI sends along an electrician to install a special wall box for charging. In addition to the planned Alias from ZAP, the electric vehicle company reportedly wants to branch into the electric pickup truck market as well. According to the latest in a long line of press releases from ZAP...  The car has a 16 kwh lithium-ion battery pack. The pack is 333 V and composed of 88 large format cells produced by a joint venture between Mitsubishi Motors and GS Yuasa of Japan. Mitsubishi i MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery Mitsubishi launched series production of its iMiEV electric car today at its Okayama, Japan factory. Mitsubishi...  Tesla Roadster - Click above for a high-res image gallery With all of the attention garnered these days at Tesla's Model S sedan, it may be easy to forget all about the fledgling EV-maker's current product, the Roadster.
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| Court to hear arguments over Chrysler's sale
June 5, 2009 at 8:11 am
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| NEW YORK - The decision on whether Chrysler can sell the bulk of its assets to a group led by Italy's Fiat as part of its plan to emerge from bankruptcy protection heads to a federal appeals court Friday. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is to hear arguments Friday afternoon from attorneys representing Chrysler LLC, Fiat Group SpA and a trio of Indiana state pension and construction funds, the latter of which say the deal unfairly favors the interests of the company's unsecured stakeholders ahead of those of secured debtholders such as themselves. The state of Indiana has a big problem with Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings. Indiana state treasurer Richard Mourdock explained that "Indiana retirees and Indiana taxpayers... When it comes to dealership closings, there is a big divide between what General Motors, Chrysler and President Obama's auto task force want and what dealers and Congress want. With a little help from Fiat and the U.S. government, among others, it seems Chrysler and GM are both on a pathway to solvency — or are they? On June 1, President Barack...
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| PSA Chairman Thierry Peugeot keen on merger
June 5, 2009 at 8:09 am
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| PSA/Peugeot-Citroen incoming CEO Philippe Varin (left) and chairman Thierry Peugeot (right) It's buddy-up time in the European auto industry, and French automaker PSA/Peugeot-Citroen does not want to be left all by itself. With Fiat gobbling up automakers large and small, and General Motors poised to sell off its European assets, the Peugeot family, which owns a controlling interest in parent company PSA, wants to pursue a merger. And towards that end, the family has stated its willingness to dilute its own interest in Europe's second-largest automaker.  2010 Peugeot 5008 – Click above for a high-res image gallery The French are known for two things: style and love. Trouble is, the product of the latter tends to cramp the former.  GTbyCitroen – Click above for a high-res image gallery When Citroen collaborated with the people behind Sony Playstation's hit Gran Turismo game franchise on the...  NEW YORK ? General Motors Corp., which for much of its 100-year life was the world's largest automaker and the pinnacle of corporate America, today filed for bankruptcy...
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| Acura TSX gets power boost with V6 transplant:
June 5, 2009 at 7:48 am
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|   The formula for making a muscle car was established 46 years ago when John Z. DeLorean dropped a 389 where a 326 had been and created the first GTO. That simple Frankenstinian act has been followed ever since by a parade of great brutes. We have loved them all. So when Acura set out to expand its TSX line, it did just what DeLorean had done 46 years before. In this case, engineers took the 3.5-liter V6 from the TL and wedged it into the smaller, lighter TSX. You can still get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSX, but you now have the choice of a bigger, badder powertrain. Yes friends, this is the new "Government Motors"-designed 2014 Chevy Camaro which, according to insider groups within the bankrupt automaker, is a muscle car designed to meet the new, more stringent CAFE standards. Audi TT RS Coupe and Roadster - Click above for a high-res gallery Audi has released a plethora of new beautiful photographs of the Audi TT RS Coupe and Roadster, and...  Chevy Cruze gets the Bumblebee treatment – Click above for a high-res image gallery The idea behind building a stunning performance car like the new Chevy Camaro...  As Chrysler and General Motors sort through messy restructuring processes in bankruptcy court, it?s worth noting that there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel for both companies, if everything goes well.
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| 2014 Chevy Camaro? Muscle Car Cruzes Into New CAFE Standards
June 5, 2009 at 7:30 am
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| Yes friends, this is the new "Government Motors"-designed 2014 Chevy Camaro which, according to insider groups within the bankrupt automaker, is a muscle car designed to meet the new, more stringent CAFE standards. Okay, so we kid. Obviously this isn't the 2014 Chevy Camaro, instead a Chinese fan made this Bumblebee-inspired Chevy Cruze. With the price of a Camaro in China hovering around the $200,000 mark for a gray market import, he did the next best thing and repainted and added Bumblebee stripes. Fairly convincing, if you've never seen a Camaro that is. The formula for making a muscle car was established 46 years ago when John Z. DeLorean dropped a 389 where a 326 had been and created the first GTO. That simple Frankenstinian act has been followed ever since by a parade of great brutes. Chevy Cruze gets the Bumblebee treatment – Click above for a high-res image gallery The idea behind building a stunning performance car like the new Chevy Camaro...  Click above to watch the video after the break It's a classic case of old versus new, classic versus current, father versus son. A 1968 Chevy Camaro RS/SS lines up against a 2010 Camaro with the same options packages. It's an epidemic folks: new muscle cars seem to be afflicted with difficult-to-balance wheels. First, it was the Camaro, then the Mustang, and now we can add the Challenger to the list.
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| Bargain Hunting on G.M. and Chrysler Lots
June 5, 2009 at 7:30 am
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| Because of the Chrysler and General Motors bankruptcies, people looking for car bargains might find a few treasures. But they have to be prepared to act quickly and forgo considerations like resale value and vehicle reliability, and also ignore the uncertainties around warranty repairs and the availability of spare parts. GM will officially be selling the Saturn brand to Roger Penske for an unknown sum. GM will continue building Saturns on contract with Penske for them to distribute through Saturn's current dealer network. Full press release below. Volkswagen Bluesport Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery After getting an exclusive first drive of the Volkswagen BlueSport roadster, the lucky scribes from AutoWeek write of the machine as if it's likely headed for production. Bright IDEA EV van - click above for a high-res gallery Bright automotive not only introduced the IDEA PHEV van in Washington recently, but they also asked for grants.
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| MARK PHELAN: Engineer to reshape GM product lines
June 5, 2009 at 3:05 am
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|  General Motors' new global product development boss Tom Stephens is a different kind of Detroit executive: a car guy who's as enthusiastic talking about the performance of the high-m.p.g. turbocharged 1.4-liter engine that will power the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze as about the 600-horsepower V8 in his restored 1967 Chevrolet Impala.  General Motors appears to have dodged a bullet that could have crippled its ability to develop the fuel-efficient and profitable vehicles its recovery plan promises to bring American buyers.  Roomy, sporty and as secure as a Swedish bachelor farmer's virtue, Volvo's 2010 XC60 is the crossover SUV the brand has been crying for. Smaller, more fuel efficient and infinitely more fun than the brand's bloated XC90 crossover...  When GM finds a buyer for the HUMMER brand, its CAFE levels will be affected in a positive (if very minor, because the H2 is not counted in CAFE figures) way. This isn't...  General Motors makes more than a few world-class automobiles. As true as that statement may be, that alone wasn't enough to stall the automaker's steady decline –...
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| Chrysler attorneys: Fiat pairing outweighs assets
June 4, 2009 at 11:23 pm
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| A live Chrysler-Fiat partnership is worth more than selling off all Chrysler assets, attorneys for the Auburn Hills automaker said in their written appeals court argument, filed Thursday. Meanwhile, three Indiana pension funds contend the federal government violated the law by putting their debt beneath that owed to taxpayers and the UAW. The state of Indiana has a big problem with Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings. Indiana state treasurer Richard Mourdock explained that "Indiana retirees and Indiana taxpayers... With a little help from Fiat and the U.S. government, among others, it seems Chrysler and GM are both on a pathway to solvency — or are they? On June 1, President Barack... General Motors makes more than a few world-class automobiles. As true as that statement may be, that alone wasn't enough to stall the automaker's steady decline –...  Chrysler's bullet-train ride through bankruptcy defied experts and frustrated dealers, suppliers and creditors, but demonstrated that a powerful government and an impatient buyer can achieve radical change quickly.
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| HEADLINES: Military versions of Hummer are excluded from GM sale
June 4, 2009 at 11:23 pm
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| The U.S. Army is assuring people that General Motors' deal to sell its Hummer brand to a Chinese company has nothing to do with the military version of the rugged vehicle. Officials said some people called the Pentagon, Capitol Hill and AM General LLC, the company that makes the military vehicles, asking whether the rights to the Humvee had been sold to the Chinese. When it comes to dealership closings, there is a big divide between what General Motors, Chrysler and President Obama's auto task force want and what dealers and Congress want.  Assuming that everyone reading this knows about the GM bankruptcy, let's go straight to the quote highlight reel. During a recent interview with NPR, GM Chief Financial...  Tata Motors' tiny Nano car made headlines with its low price, but most buyers are ordering optioned-up versions, the Indian automaker reports. The Nano has a headline-grabbing base price of just under $2... Conventional car enthusiast wisdom states the VW Jetta TDI is the thinking man's fuel-efficient car. Free of the complication, sacrificed driving dynamics and image of hybrids, it makes do with diesel instead.
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