Automotive News

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen

click above image to view many more spy shots of the VW Scirocco

After going back and forth on whether or not it will be offering the upcoming Scirocco hatchback in the U.S., Volkswagen still appears to be up in the air on the matter. These spy shots taken by KGP Photography in the deserts of California further confuse things. They are the first shots of an actual Scirocco prototype, not a Golf-bodied development mule.

Despite the front and rear ends being covered, it’s easy to see that the production Scirocco will retain much of the style previewed on the IROC Concept last fall. It’s clearly much lower than the Golf hatchback, with a cab-forward type greenhouse and short hood. It has a low-slung look, almost like the last-gen Honda Civic Si hatchback, but even lower and wider. The face, though obscured, also appears to sport a honeycomb grille almost identical to the one on the IROC Concept.

So will it come to the U.S. or won’t it? We don’t know, but we’re hoping this prototype’s presence in California is a good sign.

Feel free to link to this post, though we ask that you not republish these images elsewhere. Thank you.

[Photos: KGP Photography]

 

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

A motorcycle with corn harvesting attachments? Too much cleavage on a bus? And AutoblogGreen’s Q&A with Tobio Ciottone with Zipcar. Fun day yesterday.

• The weirdest reason to not ride a bus: too much cleavage?
• OCC reveals “Americas first renewable energy chopper”
• AutoblogGreen Q&A: Tobia Ciottone of Zipcar Chicago
• Is the new Porsche 911 GT2 high performance and high MPG?
• Shocking! A123 employees did not drive the Volt!
• Hot rumor: Opel wll sell an all-electric car by the end of 2010
• South Carolina gets first plug-in hybrid
• VW Polo BlueMotion is now down to 99g/km CO2
• Audi announces the “cleanest diesel in the world” and brings it to the US. Hybrid under study.
• Wal-Mart will cut truck fuel use by 25% by 2010
• New solar cell technology is less efficient but more cost effective
• Have you got Saab pride for environmental class?
• Today is the 16th annual Ride To Work Day!
• Biodiesel producers asking for certified oils
• NY State legislature shelves Manhattan congestion charge plan
• Fuel cells cars being evaluated in Death Valley
• NASA developing nanobattery

 

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Filed under: Etc., Videos

Click above for motorbike gallery from Goodwood

The video camera we had with us at Goodwood was put to good use. This clip shows a few of the motorbikes that made runs up the hill. Straight-long wheelies and a vintage Norton are then followed by some acrobatics. Chris Pfeiffer amazed everyone with his bike and body control all weekend. Here’s a small sample. Follow the jump for the YouTube clip produced and posted by our buddy over at SoCalSpeedZone. And if you haven’t seen them yet, don’t forget to check out our galleries from this year’s Festival of Speed.

Thanks, Duane!

Continue reading VIDEO: Goodwood - The motorbikes

 

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Filed under: Etc.

Matchbox cars. We collected them. We played with them. We loved them. Heck, a lot of us still do. And over the weekend, the man responsible for making these simple, inexpensive pleasures a reality passed away. Jack Odell was 87 years old.

The inspiration for the Matchbox car came after he created a miniature toy steamroller that fit inside an actual matchbox for his daughter. Odell was co-owner of Lesney Products, which subsequently began manufacturing and selling the miniature toys to the public, and the rest is history. Many of our fondest childhood memories can ultimately be traced back to Mr. Odell’s creation. We are eternally grateful, and may he rest in peace.

[Source: Wall Street Journal via Telstar Logistics via Jalopnik]

 

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Filed under: Car Buying, Convertibles, Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, SUVs, Wagons/Estates, Hatchbacks, Supercars, Audi

Audi of America yesterday released details of its full lineup of 2008 models, along with the changes that will accompany them. The details include the fact that the A4 and A6 series will get the S-Line treatment as standard. There are also two new packages, Titanium and Audi Exclusive, with which to deck out the cars. Click through the jump to read the press release, which also recaps (but doesn’t have much new to say) on the 300 S4 Cabriolets that will come to the US, and the S5.

Continue reading All about Audi: Every 2008 US model and alteration

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

Believe it or not, BMW is developing a third SUV model - this time a coupe-crossover that will be manufactured at its Spartanburg plant alongside the X5 and next-gen X3 SUVs. The new model, which will pick up ‘X6′ badging, will share its running gear with the X5 but will feature a chopped profile and lowered suspension.

UK’s CAR Online has a series of spy images of what it calls the new SAC or Sports Activity Coupe, including some of the best artist impressions we’ve come across. The renderings show what appears to be a much sleeker version of the X5 with a sloping coupe-style roofline, a Concept CS-inspired front bumper and a squared off tail-end.

The low profile rules out any possibility of third-row seating, and according to CAR there’ll only be enough seats for four with an optional jumper seat for a fifth passenger. Expect the full gamut of BMW electronic gadgets and gizmos to feature in the X6, including the latest iDrive, Efficient Dynamics fuel saving technology and Adaptive Drive suspension mods.

[Source: Car Magazine]

 

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Filed under: Coupes, Plants/Manufacturing, Supercars, Spyker

The Spyker C12 Zagato, introduced during the same burst of fanfare that followed Spyker’s acquisition of an F1 team, has been put on hold. Only 24 are slated to be made, and only for existing Spyker customers, but Spyker simply doesn’t have the production capacity at the moment. Right now, the company has enough to deal with getting its backlog of current and coming models made, at the same time working to shore up its finances. According to the Auto Telegraaf, the company will be posting a large loss this year, the F1 team is having trouble with sponsors, and company shareholders are bickering. Not that we would necessarily spend $700K on one, but we would think it a shame if the C12 Zagato was crushed by market forces.

[Source: Motor Authority]

 

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Filed under: Etc.

click above image to view a high-res gallery of the Fusion Muscle Car Knife

Upon first seeing the Fusion Muscle Car Knife by SOG, we instantly thought of Jr., Senior and Mikey Teutul from the Discovery Channel show American Chopper. Off the top of our heads we can remember Orange County Chopper building theme bikes for Intel, the Yankees, the movie Eragon, CAT, Gillete, LUGZ, Lincoln… the list goes on and on (you can actually see the entire list on the show’s wikipedia page).

We’ve become so accustomed to themed bikes from the OC, a themed knife hardly requires a stretch of the imagination. SOG made sure to target our passion, as well, by choosing Muscle Cars as the theme of its newest knife, aptly named the Fusion Muscle Car Knife. Just like a Tuetul bike, the Muscle Car Knife features all sorts of details that link this blade with all manner of Muscle Era metal. Check out the wheel that turns when the knife is open and closed, as well as the fan belt and pulley array on the opposite side. There’s custom racing stripes, an exhaust pipe, hood latch and license plate on the blade itself, a gear shifter clip and headlights (truth be told, we couldn’t find what was supposed to represent the headlights, let us know if you do).

Unlike a bike built by Orange County Choppers, however, there’s more than just one of the Fusion Muscle Car Knife and they’re available to buy for an MSRP of $40 from the company’s website.

[Source: FusionKnives.com]

 

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Filed under: SUVs, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Dodge

The Dodge Nitro may not be flying off dealer lots right now, but at least the mid-size SUV’s advertising campaign has taken on a life of its own. You probably remember the commercial in which the owner of a Nitro gives a motorist a jump, only to blow his car sky-high. Someone has cooked up a viral spot in which a dog that tries to do his business on a hydrant-red Nitro, but winds up getting the (last) shock of its life. PETA members can’t be pleased, but it’s just a commercial (a European one, based on that front license tag). Check it out after the jump, unless you’ve recently lost a pet. Especially to an angry Nitro that shoots Force lightning.

[Source: YouTube]

Thanks for the tip, Paul!

Continue reading It’s Dodge Nitro vs. dog in “shocking” new viral

 

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Filed under: RR of the Day

We’re a mere five days away from relaunching our Reader Ride feature, and by the looks of it so far, we’re off to a cracking start. We’ve amassed over 30 new members in our Flickr pool, with many accompanying their pics with a detailed explanation of where the car is from, its history and what mods have been performed — others, not so much. There are several rides floating around the pool that are begging to be chosen (we’re talking to the owners of the Audi S2, 911 Targa, and VW Corrado, specifically), but will remain unloved until we get at least one descriptive sentence.

As for the the RR format, we’ve decided to highlight three vehicles per week, posting one on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with a vote at the end of the month that allows you to pick your favorite from the group. We think it will work, and we’ve got faith that the submissions will continue to flow in.

That said, if you haven’t done so already, follow the directions after the jump to throw your own ride into our Flickr pool. All we need are three photos and a brief description of the car, and you’re whip is almost guaranteed its 15-minutes of fame — or infamy.

Continue reading Reader Ride returns next week

 

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