Automotive News

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Economy, Chevrolet

Click image for high-res version

Speculation that the hush-hush global concept GM has headed to the New York Auto Show has varied wildly, with the Corvette SS a popular favorite among theorists. Turns out they’re all wrong. The secret concept is actually three global concepts. Small ones, at that — they’re all minicars — perfect for NYC’s urban canyons. GM has released a photo of one of them, the Chevy Trax, and you can color us impressed. We love the chunky little wagon’s look, with its big round lights and extra-thick Chevrolet crossbar grille. It’s also got a combination matte/gloss orange finish that we’ll reserve judgment on until we see how it looks in person.

Designed at GM’s Incheon, South Korea design center, the Trax will be joined onstage by two other minicar concepts, and the public will be able to vote for their favorite one online at http://www.vote4chevrolet.com. That little marketing exercise will help the General gauge US market interest in the mini/city car segment as well as get reaction to the individual models they’re debuting in the Big Apple. The Trax stows a 1.0L gasoline engine under it’s stubby hood, and we’re looking forward to getting up close and personal with the car next week.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading New York Preview: Chevy Trax Concept

 

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Filed under: Audio, Ford

Until Ford spun off Visteon as a separate, barely financially viable company a few years ago, it was pretty much the exclusive supplier of in-vehicle entertainment systems for Ford cars and trucks. More recently, most Fords have had a common Delphi-manufactured head unit installed from the factory. Now comes word that Ford has signed a deal with Sony to offer the latter’s audio systems.

The first vehicle to be equipped with a Sony branded stereo system will be unveiled next week at the New York Auto Show. Since the Ford Flex (the production version of the Fairlane concept) will be shown there, it will likely be the first Sony-equipped Ford. This isn’t the first Sony offering for Ford, with limited edition Focus models having been available previously and several European models including the Mondeo, C-Max and others offering Sony equipment currently.

[Source: Ford]

 

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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

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Aston Martin

Now that Ford is no longer in control of Aston Martin, AutoCar had a chat with new AM Chairman David Richards about the future of the no-longer-as-exclusive, but still very expensive British car maker. Richards made clear that Ulrich Bez is still very much in charge of day to day operations at Aston, and he represents the owners and helps plot strategy. The company that produced only a few hundred cars a year as recently as fifteen years ago is now closing in on five figure annual sales.

To help achieve that, a replacement for the Vanquish that’s based on the DBS (above) that appeared in the last James Bond movie will be in production soon. Likewise, the four-door Rapide should be ready by 2009. The DB in Aston’s model names stood for former owner David Brown, who rescued the company in the 1950s. Apparently Richards is not keen on the idea of changing the nomenclature to reflect his own initials, so future models will still be named for Mr. Brown.

[Source: AutoCar]

 

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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

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedans/Saloons, Japan, Lexus

Although the upcoming IS-F has got many a Lexus enthusiast’s blood boiling, those that are already content with their IS350 can benefit from one of Japan’s top Toyota tuners: TOM’S.

The aftermarket firm specializes in all things ToMoCo, including campaigning a number of vehicles in Super GT, Formula Nippon and Formula 3. As with all good tuners, that extensive motorsports experience filters down to its consumer-grade products and has served, up until the introduction of the IS-F, as Toyota’s unofficial M and AMG tuning house.

[Source: Nihon Car and Bike]

Continue reading TOM’S does up the IS350

 

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Filed under: Car Buying, Sports/GTs, Audi

Click for R8 photo gallery

Audi’s mid-engined flagship, the R8, now has a price associated with it. Those who opt for the version equipped with a six-speed manual will need to pony up $109,000 at minimum. Upgrading to the slick DSG transmission raises the entry fee to $118,000. Something tells us that price won’t be an obstacle to sales, as the concept-inspired R8 is sure to have the well-heeled waiting impatiently at dealers, checkbooks in hand.

The list of available options is relatively short but distinguished, headlined by Audi’s 465-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system, a Convenience Package (parking camera, Bluetooth, etc.), a navigation system, and dress-up components like an Alcantara headliner and additional leather packages for the Porsche/Ferrari-fighter. Full details can be found after the jump.
[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi R8 US prcing to start at $109,000

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Audi

The Audi A5 and S5 were neck-and-neck with the BMW M3 as the most significant unveilings at the Geneva Motor Show in March. On a real race track, though, the M3 would pull away at the start and probably win in a walk. The race would be a lot more interesting with an RS5 thrown into the mix, powered by the 420 hp V8 sourced from the RS4, and plenty of weight-saving technology.

We told you a few weeks ago that Audi was planning to expand the A5 lineup to include droptop and RS models, and this mule might be Audi’s wolf in sheep’s clothing. The folks over at CAR obtained photos of the test vehicle, which looks like the S5, but with plenty of test gear attached. A5 engineering boss Stefan Härdl tells CAR Online that the layout of the A5 allowed the front axle to be moved forward by 120mm, which improves weight distribution by moving more to the rear of the car. Härdl thinks the resulting 55/45 split helps give the RS5 better handling than the RS4. Also expected is the rear-biased quattro AWD system, which is a necessity with this kind of horsepower.

The Autoblog staff is split on the looks of the A5, but we can all agree that a 400+ horsepower RS5 get us leaning in the Audi’s direction.

[Source: CAR]

 

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Filed under: Coupes, Hyundai

click above image to view 15 high-res pics of the Hyundai Genesis concept

Hyundai “officially” unveiled the rear-wheel drive Genesis concept on Tuesday by issuing a press release and high-res versions of the pics that were already floating around. The release got us thinking that Hyundai’s new rear-wheel-drive platform underpinning the production version of the Genesis when it arrives Stateside in 2008 would make a killer chassis on which to build the next Hyundai Tiburon. The Tiburon has more than run its course as a value-based, front-wheel-drive sport compact coupe with an eensy-weensy V6. We have no idea when a Tiburon replacement will surface, but the arrival of Hyundai’s first rear-driver gives us hope that the South Korean automaker may decide to grab a gun and stand to post in the upcoming pony car wars. Even if the intended target turns out not to be the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, Hyundai could easily aim at the Infiniti G37 Coupe, BMW 335i and upcoming Audi A5 with a coupe powered by a 300-horsepower 4.6L V8 driving the back wheels. The mind reels at the possibility, and we hope Hyundai has the foresight to let the chassis flourish under models other than the new Genesis luxury sedan.

Check out Hyundai’s official press release on the Genesis Concept after the jump, as it reveals many details that could easily apply to a coupe. Also check out the gallery of desktop wallpaper-sized pics.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Could the Hyundai Genesis lead to a rear-wheel drive Tiburon?

 

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Filed under: Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Japan, Nissan

1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R NISMO

On April 24, 2007, the Nissan Skyline turns 50 years old, and Nssan is going to celebrate. For starters, there’s already a JDM 50th Anniversary version of the current Skyline (Infiniti G35) on sale in three distinct color combos. In addition to that, however, the automaker is staging an exhibition in midtown Tokyo called Grand Touring - The Legend and the Future in which examples of all twelve generations of Skyline will be displayed. As you might have guessed from the name, there will also be information on the history of Japanese grand touring and its future direction. The exhibit will run from April 24 to May 6.

In other news, the Autoblog staffers wish they had an unlimited travel budget. Sadly, that’s not the case, so we’ll have to make do with the gallery below, which shows one example from each generation of the Skyline. Enjoy.

[Source: Nissan]

 

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Click image for a gallery of 39 high-res shots of the G35 sport

It’s not easy living in the midwest and reviewing vehicles, specifically in Cleveland, Ohio where schizophrenic weather that calls for boots and gloves on Monday can switch to shades and shorts by Tuesday.

In mid January, Infiniti gave us the choice to test either the 2007 G35 S or G35x AWD. At the time, skies were blue and the temperature mild, so we felt comfortable indulging ourselves by ordering up the G35 S. This would allow us to review the new 306-hp VQHR 3.5L V6 in its unadulterated, rear-wheel drive glory. Little did we know that by the time our car was delivered in early February, the region would be gripped by the biggest snowstorm of the year. To make matters worse, our car wasn‘t able to be fitted with all-season tires and arrived wearing a set of well-worn, low profile summer tires. This was going to be interesting.

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport

 

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Cadillac

Click for high-res photo gallery

GM’s assault on NYC’s Jacob Javits Center continues apace. With HUMMER and Buick already well-represented, the luxury division, Cadillac, gets in on the action as well. The facelifted 2008 STS gets a most welcome makeover outside. The new corporate grille design featured on the ‘08 CTS finds its way onto the nose of the STS, and it looks great. Also making an appearance are the trendy side extractors also featured on the Escalade and CTS (and Hyundai Tiburon).

There’s plenty more to discuss, however, so follow the jump for the rest of the story.

[Source: Cadillac]

Continue reading New York Preview: 2008 Cadillac STS gets a revamp

 

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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

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