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Jeep Patriot promotion kicks off with “Wolf” commercial

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Jeep

As part of its novel marketing campaign for the new Patriot, Jeep has developed an interactive comic book game of sorts that allows users to follow the adventures of three different characters who use a Jeep Patriot to complete their journeys. It’s called the Patriot Adventure, naturally. As a companion to that online effort, the TV commercials will mimic the look and feel of that effort and use the same cast in vignettes from the game. The first TV spot is set to debut during the NCAA tourney on March 15, but the video is already on YouTube and available after the jump. Called “Wolf,” it is set at a riverside campground where we see a couple of pranksters stealing a canoe off the roof of a Patriot while the owner sleeps in her tent.

Not one to take this lying down, she fires up her trusty Jeep Patriot and gets ahead of them by driving through rugged terrain, which the Patriot of course handles effortlessly (It’s Trail-Rated, you know). But how exactly will she manage to stop them when they are in the water and she is on terra firma? And why is it called “Wolf?” Click through to find out. While the commercial lacks any attempts at suicide, we’re eager to see what action group steps forward to nail DCX with accusations of animal endangerment on behalf of a supposedly traumatized wolf.

[Source: Jeep]

Continue reading Jeep Patriot promotion kicks off with “Wolf” commercial

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Autoblog Podcast #60

Filed under: Podcasts, Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin, Cadillac, Ford

Podcast #60 finds us reminiscing about the Geneva Motor Show. We spend a while talking about what our team saw at the show - standout vehicles, best and worst, most surprising (good and bad) to see in person versus pictures. John presses Damon for information about how some hotly anticipated cars such as the Mazda2, Audi S5, and the M3 looked at our first opportunity to be up close and personal with them. A good long time is spent covering Geneva before we turn our attention to Ford’s sale of Aston Martin. Debate ensues over the move and whether it was a smart one for Ford. Speaking of smart moves and Ford, the bonuses that Alan Mulally breathlessly memo’d Ford employess drew some of our ire, as well as some of our ennui. We’ll see how it shakes out, but perhaps the workers would have rather seen their paltry share go back into unbeatable product. We wrap up by alighting on all the doings over at Cadillac. The BLS wagon has just dropped, and there are rumors of a CTS Coupe and Wagon to really give BMW a run for its money. Of course, the sordid affair of the on again, off again $100K plus Caddy (and we don’t me an XLR-V) elbows its way into the conversation before we trot off into the sunset. Enjoy!

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Tuner Tuesdays: Maserati Quattroporte by Studio M

Filed under: Aftermarket, Trends, Tuner Tuesdays, Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Maserati, Misc. Auto Shows

Every time we think we’ve seen the ultimate in over-the-top bling and luxe, somebody manages to come up with something even more outlandish. This time, it’s a custom Maserati Quattroporte crafted by Studio M especially for the “Scrigno Tesori d’Italia” (roughly translated as the Italian Treasure Chest), a luxury show taking place at the Spazio Etoile & Palazzo Ruspoli in Rome from the 16th to the 18th of March.

We’ve yet to start an Autoblog Italian, and online translators will only take you so far, but here’s what we could gather about the bling on this Trident. Most noticeable is the special paint job that blends actual 24-karat gold powder - similar to the silver powder technique used in collaboration with Fiat on the Panda Luxury - giving this Maserati what is undoubtedly an unrivalled luster. This Quattroporte is also fitted with some custom bodywork, and with bigger Trident badges, just in case anyone would miss it rolling by. Inside, of course, the premium touches continue with every surface covered in ultra-soft leather and Alcantara trim, even the trunk. The cabin is also highlighted by lacquered French briar wood panels, though Studio M can also outfit customer cars with woven panels of gold or platinum. The back of the front headrests are fitted with individual LCD panels with USB jacks and SD card readers, almost a foregone conclusion on modern pimped-out rides.

No word on how much this entire treatment would add to the cost of a Maserati Quattroporte, but pushing the limits of good taste as it does, any customer will likely be glad to tell you emphatically.

[Source: La Repubblica]

Gallery: Studio M gold Quattroporte

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Hyundai to build new engine plant in U.S.

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Hyundai

Hyundai announced today its intention to build a new engine plant in the U.S. at its current lone production facility in Montgomery, Alabama. The new facility will cost Hyundai around $270 million and add an additional 520 jobs to the plant. Engines produced at the new facility, which will break ground in September 2008, will supply not only Hyundai’s Alabama plant, but also Kia’s new plant in Georgia. Considering the numerous labor distputes Hyundai has had to deal with in its native South Korea, moving production outside the country is a move that will hopefully bring the automaker more security in its production process.

As an a aside, Hyundai also set 2009 as the date when it will begin producing hybrids, ramping up to an annual production of 300,000 hybrids by 2015. Currently, the only peek we’ve had at Hyundai hybrid is the Kia Rio Hybrid recently shown at the Geneva Motor Show.

[Source: Automotive News]

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Continue reading Dutch TV interview proves The Stig is indeed human

Dutch TV interview proves The Stig is indeed human

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos

Some Dutch TV show visited the Top Gear set recently and interviewed the cast. Well, everybody but Jeremy. But the list of interviewees included THE STIG! Even though the others fail to acknowledge that the Stig is even human, this Sheryl Crow lookalike manages to coax a few words from the test driver behind the white suit and helmet. Those who have suspected the driver is in fact former Formula One champion Damon Hill will have more evidence to support their case, as the voice does indeed sound a lot like his. Still, many people think there are several different drivers who don the kit and play the role, so we still don’t have the definitive answer on who the mystery man is in any given test. Follow the jump for the YouTube clip.

[Source: Final Gear via Jalopnik]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Nissan may _SHIFT from using current tagline

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Nissan

Apparently, Nissan is going completely automatic. No more SHIFTing for the Japanese brand. Seems that the tagline has failed to catch on and persuade enough buyers to visit their local Nissan dealer, especially in Europe. While no new slogan has been adopted, the _SHIFT tag seems to be headed the way of the manual transmission.

Brian Carolin, marketing director of Nissan Europe, said in an interview in Geneva that Nissan’s image in Europe is “rather flat.” While there are products at the top and bottom of the range that are doing very well, the core midsize vehicles are a bit lackluster. So rather than trying to position themselves as a full range alternative to Honda and Toyota, Nissan might try focusing on their strengths.

The company is hoping that new products, such as the Qashqai crossover, X-Trail and Navarra will continue to give them a strong presence in the light truck segment, and the Micra already has them at the head of the class in small cars, so a new tagline that reinforces those segments might serve Nissan better than _SHIFT. Perhaps _LIFT for the trucks? _THRIFT for the Micra? _DRIFT for the Z? Take a seat, we’ve got millions of them, folks.

[Source: Wards Auto]

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Enter the rumormill: 500HP Infiniti G37 twin-turbo on tap for 2010

Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Infiniti

May we first present to you a grain of salt, which you should take with what we’re about to say. A comment left on an earlier post today confirming the G37 Coupe’s new name led us to the Freshalloy forums where a member had recently posted some tantalizing information.

The Freshalloy forum member relays information he obtained from the owner of his local Nissan/Infiniti dealership that includes not only confirmation of the new G37 name four days before today’s official announcement, but also speculation that the larger engine will produce 325 horsepower “out of the box”. On a follow up visit, the forum member learned that a possible 330-hp variant of the G37 is also currently being tested at sea level. Finally, the owner said that the new G37 will be in dealerships this summer around July or August.

The real nugget of speculation that interests us, however, is the possibility that Infiniti will produce an all-wheel drive, twin-turbocharged version of the G37 in 2010 that will produce 500 horsepower. Such a car sounds a lot like the Nissan GT-R, the first production Skyline ever to be sold in the U.S. Even though this news come from a forum post written by a guy who talked to some dealer, and its validity can in no way be confirmed at this time, we have to admit that it makes sense to us.

We’re well aware that Infiniti dealers were not happy when one Carlos Ghosn announced the GT-R would be badged a Nissan, so an ultra high-performance version of the G37 is one relatively easy way to appease those dealers. We also presume that the G37 Coupe and GT-R will share a good deal of hardware, which makes us wonder if the GT-R’s powerplant will turn out to be a twin-turbo version of the G37’s 3.7L VQ V6, rather than the 3.5L version. That would certainly explain the blistering lap times a prototype was turning at Laguna Seca last month.

Oh yeah, the dealer is expecting a G37 convertible in 2009. You may now exit the rumormill.

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

For the man who has everything: Dodge Viper with matching helicopter

Filed under: Etc., Dodge

There’s no shortage of crossover between the aerospace and automobile industries, with carmakers regularly borrowing ideas from airplanes. Car manufacturers like BMW, Mitsubishi, Saab and Rolls Royce all have roots in building airplanes, but the Dodge Viper? Sure, Carroll Shelby, on whose Cobra the Viper was modeled, used to be a fighter pilot, as was Bob Lutz, but that’s still a bit of a stretch. Aerospace retrofitters Northwest Helicopters took a shot at bridging (or at least flying over) the divide with a big ol’ Huey painted to match the company owner’s Viper SRT/10 coupe.

The firm was reportedly fixing up the chop-lifter for a show and was looking for a way to get it noticed. After driving around car lots looking for the most vibrant of tints, they decided to go with Viper Racing Yellow, and painted the helicopter to match, complete with silver stripes.

The chopper was apparently a big hit at the show, and the owner is undoubtedly the only one to have matching Huey and Viper. (Sure beats matching luggage.) One big difference between the two, aside from the obvious: take a close look a the picture and you’ll notice the M60-D cannon mounted to the side of the helicopter, something you’re not likely to see on a Viper (unless, of course, Dodge steps in for Aston Martin in the next Bond film).

Thanks for the tip, Dave!

[Source: DavidPitlyuk.com]