Last Cars News Blog: июля 2009

Gas-siphoning HUMMER leads police on high-speed chase

Автор: RaymondLilly | пятница, 31 июля 2009 г.

After Pittsburgh police noticed a Hummer (yep, a Hummer... what else?) sitting conspicuously close to a five-hundred gallon tank of gas at a golf course, the vehicle suddenly took off. Considering that the top speed of a Hummer is right around one-hundred miles per hour, we can safely say that the driver was giving it all he had in an attempt to get away. The high-speed chase ended as the Hummer smashed into a tree and rolled several times in a nearby parking lot. The eighteen-year-old-driver sustained leg injuries which required a hospital stay and will face charges after being deemed healthy.

Sixty-eight gallons of gasoline were said to be found missing from the tank by the golf course superintendent. To recap: this story is further proof that:

Hummers are very expensive to fill up.
Gas thefts are on the rise in the face of record-high fuel prices.

[Source: WPXI News]

Audi A1 and Polo to get VW’s next small-car platform with AWD

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Volkswagen’s current small car platform, which underpins the Polo, Seat Ibiza and Skoda Fabia, will offer all-wheel-drive for the next-generation.“The new small-car platform architecture...

Michigan governor proposes reducing speed limit to save gas

Автор: RaymondLilly |

During a press conference in Lansing, Michigan on Wednesday, Governor Jennifer Granholm suggested that the state should consider lowering speed limit from the current 70mph. Granholm was speaking during the launch of a new state web site designed to help Michigan residents save money. The site includes a calculator that lets users determine how much money they could save by car pooling as well as a service to help match up commuters to share rides. Granholm didn't give any indication of what she thought the speed limit ought to be. It seems increasingly likely that states will start lowering speed limits in the coming months if fuel prices don't subside. On the personal side, Granholm indicated that she and her husband are both driving hybrids and she is riding a bike to the office two days a week.

[Source: Detroit News]

What Brand/Model Car Is This?

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Can you tell us what this car is? I have a vague idea, but what do you think? It’s surely utilitarian transport, and you see a lot of that in Mexico. But the automobile is very much a means of personal expression, and Mexicans love to pimp their rides, just like we do. I’ll show you some of both varieties—utilitarian and artistic—from the streets of San Cristobàl de las Casas, way down in Chiapas.

Cars are a mobile platform to make sales, while Kombis and vans of all kinds are everywhere. You’ll see lots of mostly older Toyota Corollas used as taxis.

You also see many variations on the ever-present Beetle. In another post I’ll talk about the history of VW in Mexico and how important it’s been to the economy.

Jettas, Pointers, and Tiguans are spotted frequently here. VW México’s website shows their many models, far more than we see in the U.S.

We’re too intimidated to paint cars like this jive Jetta.

I’ve seen some beautiful new small cars, like this Ford Ka, and lots of SUVs—Chevys, Jeeps, etc.—so somebody’s doing well here, even in this economy.

If you have pix of Mexican cars that you want to share, please leave them in the comment section for us. Thanks! Hasta luego.

—jgoods

The cool new diesel GM won’t build

Автор: RaymondLilly |

It’s an engine that could raise those trucks’ fuel economy into the mid to high 20s - higher than the new two-mode hybrid system in the trucks, which is rated at 21 mpg.

The engine has cylinder heads that eliminate the intake and exhaust manifolds. It’s truly an innovation should GM take pride in.

And they won’t build it.

Or perhaps the correct wording is they can’t build it. While GM struggles for survival by cutting costs and trying to reduce brands, innovations such as this new diesel are getting put on hold. That’s unfortunate, because the possible benefits of such an engine are huge.

It’s easy for observers of the auto industry (bloggers included) to immediately criticize GM for moves such as this. Certainly the people at GM know how badly they need innovation, especially the kind that makes pickups border on the fuel efficiency of a sedan.

The fact is, though, GM just can’t afford to move on with the development of this engine, which has already tested as quietly and smoothly as a gasoline engine. They’ve already received $13.4 billion in government loans, and they hope to receive another $16.6 billion. That’s money GM needs just to say in business… they simply can’t afford to innovate right now.

Some people will say they can’t afford NOT to innovate, and there’s some truth to that. A joint venture is a possibility, in which GM would work with another company to build the engines for them. But even if such an agreement were made today, it would be at least a year before the engines were in production.

While I truly believe this engine is exactly the innovation GM has needed for quite some time, I can’t help but wonder if it’s come too late.

Would you be interested in buying a light-duty diesel truck that achieved fuel mileage in the high 20s?

-tgriffith

Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX Delayed

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Edgedelays

In an unexpected move, Ford is delaying the launch of its most anticipated model of the year, the Edge SUV, along with its Lincoln sibling, the MKX, by two weeks. The move is meant to give more time to ensure proper assembly and manufacturing of the all-new vehicles at the Canadian plant where they’re built. Dealers were expecting the two models to arrive by the end of this month; instead they’ll be waiting until mid-December for delivery.

There are two ways to look at the move. In the short run it hurts Ford, which is in need of more hot products; the Edge looks to be a strong seller, like the Fusion sedan. In the long run, taking time to tackle quality control before the product hits those influential first adapters — folks who always want to be the first on the block with the latest and greatest — who can make or break a new product is extremely important.

Hopefully, Ford fixes all it needs to fix and the Edge follows the Fusion’s route as a reliable product.

[Ford Pushes Back Edge, MKX launch, The Detroit News]

Luxury Car Market Predicted to Grow

Автор: RaymondLilly | среда, 29 июля 2009 г.

Luxurycars

USA Today took a look at fancy new luxury car dealerships and thought there must be a trend going on. So it interviewed a number of analysts and luxury automakers and found that even though luxury cars have taken a hit this year, they’re primed for a major rebound. One analyst sees luxury cars moving from their current 14% share of the car market to 17% by 2012, while an Audi spokesman — who would naturally be biased — predicts a rise to 21% in that same amount of time.

The luxury market is so enticing that Hyundai says it’s considering a high-end division, much like Toyota did with Lexus, Honda with Acura, and Nissan with Infiniti.

Another interesting factoid in the article is the large number — 129 — of new or refreshed luxury models coming out in this magical five-year time frame. That’s up from 98 new models between 1999 and 2005. That means a lot more choices for luxury shoppers, as well as more lavish car dealerships.

[Luxury Dealerships Soup Themselves Up, USA Today]

At least 14 cities vying for an Auto X Prize stage race in 2009-2010

Автор: RaymondLilly |

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg at the official start of the Auto X Prize.

Once all of the designers and teams get their ducks in a row and prep their vehicles for the cross-country portion of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize in 2009 and 2010, they're going to need places to go. For now, all we know is that the route will start in New York City in September 2009 and end in, well, somewhere in California I'm guessing. The X Prize organizers announced yesterday that "interest is high" in hosting some of the events in between the coasts, and listed 14 cities that have said they'd like to host a stage race: Albuquerque, Boston, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Indianapolis, New York, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis.

The stage races will take place over (likely) ten stops and each "will feature a driving competition over city, suburban and rural roads between 30 and 200 miles in length." The races will show that the 100 mpge cars can achieve their numbers under real-world conditions.

Another new tidbit: there are now 94 teams that want to participate in the competition. Seems likely that we'll have over 100 by the time the application deadline hits at the end of the summer.

[Source: X PRIZE Foundation]

VW Golf: First picture of the next-generation Golf

Автор: RaymondLilly |

German Auto Motor und Sport has the first picture (or at least their artist's impression of it) of the next-generation VW Golf in their latest issue. Enjoy!Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW GolfSource: Auto Motor und Sport

Right Round, Baby: Ferrari Scuderia Spider in 3D

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Filed under: Convertibles, Supercars, Ferrari, Toys, Special/Limited Editions

Click above to climb into the Spideria's open cockpit

If you didn't waste enough time already with Ferrari's online configurator don't worry, that's not the only roadster the Prancing Horse people have unveiled recently. And since most of us won't get within spitting distance of any of the 499 examples of the Scuderia Spider 16M which will be rumbling out the gates of Maranello, Ferrari has given us this dizzying turntable simulator of the Spider's interior.

Unfortunately, like the studio shots, Ferrari's fastest roadster yet is bathed in rather unappetizing florescent light. But with all that carbon fiber, Alcantara and exclusivity, that's not enough to make us want one any less. Follow the jump to check out the 3D view, unless you suffer from vertigo, in which case we'd recommend you take your meds and sit down... then follow the jump to check it out. Thanks for the tip, Demond!

[Source: Ferrari]

Right Round, Baby: Ferrari Scuderia Spider in 3D originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | | |

Car Blog Showdown: Early-’60s Convertibles

Автор: RaymondLilly | вторник, 28 июля 2009 г.

Here’s our latest Car Blog Showdown. This week tgriffith and jgoods were each invited to select their favorite early-’60s convertible. Which is your favorite?

1964 Shelby Cobra

jgoods’ 5 reasons why the 1964 Shelby Cobra is his favorite early-’60s convertible

It actually did have a soft top (I’ve seen one in the flesh), but you wouldn’t want to use it.
There’s no greater American sports car status symbol than this.
It’s fast, drivable (the 289-cubic-inch version, not the 427, which is a lot more demanding), and gorgeous.
271 stock hp can get you to 60 mph in the mid-4-second range (the 427 will blow your pants off).
The early Cobra foibles were mostly gone by ‘64.

tgriffith’s 3 reasons to avoid the 1964 Shelby Cobra:

Sometimes you just want to cruise in style, but the Cobra’s not a cruiser.
Do you really want a car that looks like it should have a big wind-up handle on the back?
jgoods says there’s “no greater American sports car status symbol” than this, but it’s only half American. The other half is British.

1962 Oldsmobile Starfire

tgriffith’s 5 reasons why the 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire is his favorite early ’60s convertible:

It’s a comfortable, classy cruiser with leather, power steering, and power seats.
The Starfire is one of the finest designed American classics of the 1960s.
Oldsmobile’s quality at this time was nearly unbeatable.
The 394-cubic-inch Rocket engine provided plenty of power.
Its chrome wrap-around trim provided a look like nothing else on the road.

jgoods’ 3 reasons to avoid the 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire:

It’s a very big hunk of iron.
It looks like the fighter plane after which it was named, not a car.
Try to find a good one.

What’s your favorite early-’60s convertible? Why?

Rental agencies having a hard time upgrading customers

Автор: RaymondLilly |

There has been a longstanding tradition among car rental agencies to push renters up to bigger, more expensive models. Not that it was all that difficult to do, considering that Americans tend to prefer larger vehicles when all other aspects are equal. Now, though, not all of those aspects are equal, as bigger vehicles are usually thirstier vehicles and the renter is required to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. So, the act of stepping up to a Hemi-powered Dodge Charger from a four-banger equipped Caliber no longer holds the allure that it once did.

A side effect of users sticking to their smaller vehicle choices is a compact car shortage among rental agencies. This, of course, only makes matters worse as the companies will then do nearly anything to move the larger metal. One other result of the shortage is an increase in the cost to rent a small car and a corresponding decrease in cost to rent an SUV or minivan, which could help offset the higher gas bill.

[Source: ABC News]

GM’s Tahoe, Yukon Hybrid report a 40% Increase in Fuel Savings, but at what cost?

Автор: RaymondLilly |

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

GM has been working since 2004 with BMW and DaimlerChrysler on what is now being called the Hybrid 2Mode system in their trucks and SUV’s. The first example to reach the market place will be the 2008 GM Yukon and Tahoe. While the technologies involved in the very technical and costly engine are a vast advancement, their net gain from cost-to-efficiency may be questioned. Maybe over time and with further research more positive gains will be realized.

Initially GM reported the Hybrid 2 Mode was expected to achieve a 20% gain in fuel efficiency from the standard gas alternative. Well now they have come back to announce that their prior report was too conservative, and a 40% improvement in fuel mileage is expected. Meaning this behemoth of a sport-ute will be expected to average 19 to 20 mpg.

Triumph Trans-AmeriCan drive reaches Canada

Автор: RaymondLilly |

John Macartney and “uncle jack,” a restored Triumph Stag, have arrived safely in Montreal, escorted by members of an all-marque car club, Le Rendez-Vous des Anglaises. (Our Neighbor to the North is the “Can” part of “Trans-AmeriCan.”) Here John poses with Genevieve Charette of Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada, one of three non-profits that will benefit from John’s 10,500-mile trip across the continent. John is driving to raise awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and to support three charities in the U.S., Canada and his native Britain that help those with the illness. His itinerary takes him to Maine today – will he make it? Find out by following his daily installments on the Trans-AmeriCan Charity Drive site.

Look who’s getting in line for government bailouts!

A Functional Warthog is Built for Halo 3 Short Film

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Halo 3 Warthog

Fresh from the wrenches of WETA in Wellington, New Zealand comes a one-off, fully functioning Warthog built to scale and ready to rumble. The four-wheel steering green monster is built directly from the designs of the vehicles in the Halo series of games from Bungie. This particular Wartbog will be used in one of the short films to come out in preperation for Halo 3’s release in September. (more…)

Official Teaser Image of the Subaru WRX STi Released

Автор: RaymondLilly | воскресенье, 26 июля 2009 г.

This is the first official teaser image of the new Subaru WRX STi that is going to be officially unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show.

New entry-level Ferrari won’t be called Dino, will produce 430-hp

Автор: RaymondLilly |

We recently brought you a short video of the upcoming 2+2 Ferrari that has come to be known as the Dino. Get rid of that name from your mind, because according to sources who spoke with CAR, the...

More Spy Photos of the 2008 Subaru WRX STi...This Time it Got Caught in Japan

Автор: RaymondLilly |

The 2008 Subaru WRX STi is set to be unveiled shortly at the Tokyo Auto Show so for now we have to make due with the many spy photos that have surfaced.

Hyundai Struggles With Success, Running out of Models

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Hyundaiaccent_1

Supply and demand is a tricky thing. After years of struggling to get its foot in the door here in the U.S., Hyundai is finding that many of its small cars are so popular the company can’t meet demand, especially with the new Accent two-door hatchback.

Other models built at Hyundai’s Alabama facility, like the new Santa Fe and Sonata, will pick up the slack for the missed sales opportunities of the Korean-produced Accent, Tiburon and Elantra. The demand problem has forced the company to lower sales goals for 2007. In a time when larger American automakers are having to cut production, Hyundai shows that even with gas prices falling, buyers are still looking at smaller and more affordable vehicles.

[Hot Hyundais, AutoWeek]

Giant gathering of little cars

Автор: RaymondLilly | суббота, 25 июля 2009 г.

Kitty Cab Company

Had a chance to check out Charles Gould’s 14th annual Microcar and Minicar Classic Event on Saturday and came away impressed. Not only did Charles manage to attract a wide variety of little cars to his corner of Boston (in addition to his own eclectic collection), but as I sat on the hill at Larz Anderson watching over the event, I realized that there were more women and children at this one event actually enjoying themselves (rather than just appeasing Dad) than I’ve seen at any other event I’ve attended. I’ll have more on the event in an upcoming issue of Hemmings Motor News, but for now, a sample.

Gould's Goggomobil roadster was one of dozens parked on his lawn

lone pre-war Crosley. All its brethren must've been out at Wauseon that weekend

Never got the whole story on this invalid car. Suffice it to say, it was modified

A poor shot of the invalid car's engine, which turned a belt, which turned a jackshaft, which turned another belt, which turned the rear axle assembly, which seemed to be pirated from an S-10

I was in love with this Subaru Sambar van, one of at least three Sambars I spotted that day. And it was for sale, too, but I was about $7,499 short

Plenty of Metropolitans attended, though this one had a little something more under the hood...

...a 454-cu.in. big-block Chevrolet V-8!

There were some neat ideas on display with Microfurthur here, a Lambro converted to electric drive and charged by a variety of sources

The latter half of the day was spent with show participants offering rides to spectators. As you can see, it was popular

KTM X-Bow: Wallpapers for your desktop pleasure

Автор: RaymondLilly |

If you like the KTM X-Bow as much as we do, you will love these wallpapers. Start your downloads!Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, KTM X-BowSource: Serious Wheels

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