Automotive News

Filed under: Convertibles, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Saab

Click the Saab 9-3 for a high res photo gallery

The revamped 2008 Saab 9-3 will be arriving in North American dealerships in early September. The lineup will start with the 2.0T Sport Sedan at $28,385 while the Aero V6 will cost at least $35,365. The four and six cylinder convertibles run $39,710 and $45,665 respectively. The new features include rain sensing wipers, OnStar, XM radio and remote top opening for the convertible.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Re-designed Saab 9-3 due in American showrooms in September

 

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Filed under: Motorsports

Several big (albeit anticipated) changes were made to the Formula One calendar for 2008, which was released by the FIA yesterday.

The F1 circus will make two new stops at the new circuit in Singapore and at the Valencia track in Spain, previously used primarily for testing. Singapore will slot in right before the grands prix in China and Japan, and most teams are expected to stay out east for the three-week stretch. Valencia joins Barcelona as the second race in Spain, banking on Fernando Alonso’s popularity and following the cuts made to second races in Italy and Germany for this year. The race at the Nurburgring will be labeled the German Grand Prix, while Valencia will pick up the European Grand Prix moniker.

Follow the jump for details about North America and the full provisional 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar.

[Source: GrandPrix.com]

Continue reading 2008 F1 Calendar: Valencia and Singapore in, Montreal in jeopardy

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, Kia

TheCarBlogger just published three leaked pics of what they are claiming to be the first official images of the interior in the new Kia Mesa, nee HM. And just like we were when we saw the interior on the Veracruz, we have to say we are pretty impressed. Nothing cutting edge, but definitely styled to put it in the luxury car camp. The materials might not hold up to that opinion, but they at least look good in the pics. And the admittedly faux wood gives this UV an air of luxury most people probably wouldn’t expect from a Korean vehicle. Light and modern, that wood is slathered throughout, even on the steering wheel.

What we see in the pics as far as the multimedia navigation/AV system goes is likely the home market setup. Chances are that the States will get the same LG unit we profiled in the Veracruz. There doesn’t seem to be any reason why the AUX input jack and a Push-Start button won’t make the trip over, however. We’re not sure when the Mesa will make its public debut, but we’re guessing somewhere between Frankfurt and the end of this year, with sales starting early next year. Click one of the images to view all three shots.

Thanks for the tip, William!

[Source: TheCarBlogger]

 

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Filed under: Etc.

Photo used for illustrative purposes only. Not one of the actual plants from article.

Ever wonder how seriously the workers really take their jobs on the automotive assembly lines of the world? Seriously, do they really think about us consumers when they are bolting together that subassembly? Are there definitive differences between the way domestic and import vehicles are made that we can really see in the finished product? Well, even if you haven’t wondered, we have. And so has Christopher Neiger of AOL Autos. To get some answers, he interviewed an automotive quality engineer who has worked in several plants around the world, for domestic and import manufacturers. His findings are really fascinating. Click over to read the whole story, but let us tell you that there are definite differences between the imports and domestics, that the workers do care about the finished product, and that there are many more parts to this equation than we might imagine. It’s well worth the clicking ‘Read’ below.

[Source: AOL Autos]

 

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Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Infiniti

Although the CAR crew seems to have the inside line on Audi’s future releases, with its recent spate of “official” images posted earlier this week, Top Speed was able to procure some details about Infiniti’s new FX-series crossover.

The artist depiction shows a revised front end that draws cues from the new G-series sedan, with more tautly drawn headlamps flanking a revised grille and more muscular front fenders. However, everything aft of the A-pillar appears to carry over from the current model — pretty much what we’ve expected.

More important than the exterior changes is what lies underhood, and according to Top Speed the new FX will come equipped with either the new 3.7-liter VQ V6 or a 5-liter V8, producing 390 HP and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. Naturally, the new models’ badging will reflect their newfound power: FX37 and FX50, respectively.

Beyond the upgraded powerplants, expect the new FX to come equipped with a back-up camera, radar-assisted cruise control and mirrors that will automatically adjust when the seating position is changed.

Although Top Speed simply cites an internal source for all these details, most of the information seems entirely plausible. We’ll just have to wait until next year, when Infiniti pulls the cover off of the new FX in Geneva for confirmation.

[Source: Top Speed]

 

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Filed under: Economy, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchbacks, GM, Earnings/Financials

GM has been rapidly expanding in countries outside the US, and South Korea-based Daewoo has been a major contributor to the company’s growth in developing markets. GM is redoubling their commitment to Daewoo by investing $6 billion in the once bankrupt automaker over the next few years. President and chief executive of GM DAT Michael Grimaldi says the money will be used to expand design, engineering, and for new plants and products. Among the projects on the table are a mini car and a small car, which could mean that some form of the Beat, Trax, or Groove could be in the pipeline. With relatively low labor costs and a free trade agreement with the US, GM Daewoo could expand their role of providing low-cost economy cars to our shores, but with a Chevy badge.

[Source: Channel NewsAsia]

 

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Filed under: Time Warp, Etc., Chrysler

The SS Belvedere emerged from its not-so-dry-dock almost two months ago, in all its ferrous oxide glory. Apparently the offer of restoration by Boyd Coddington has either been refused or rescinded, but either way, the Mopar is headed to New Jersey for a spa treatment. Safest Rust Remover, a product of the Ultra One Corporation, is going to take a crack at dissolving just the rust, and leaving everything else intact. It makes us wonder, once you dissolve that rust, will there be merely the lacy suggestion of a ‘57 Plymouth, rendered in mid-century steel?

A website has been launched so you can keep an eye on the progress. All reports about the Safest Rust Remover product are positive, and the non-acid mixture is used to clean Manhattan’s Holland and Lincoln Tunnels. A vat half the size of an Olympic swimming pool might be needed, but maybe there’s hope for the old girl yet. The game plan for the car is to not restore it, just clean it up and get the engine running — once those goals are met, a re-unveiling back in Tulsa will be planned. They should get those Skoda bakers for the event so there’s at least one perfect looking Belvedere there.

[Source: Hemmings]

 

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Filed under: Etc., Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler, Mercedes Benz

Looking to exit, stage left on a melodious note, Doc Zee has bid the Chrysler team a semi-farewell via email. The message was a polite “thank you,” instead of the possibly more appropriate “thanks for letting us swoop in from Stuttgart, blast through your cash and let your product line languish.” Dieter Zetsche and Tom LaSorda dashed off the e-mail to all Daimler and Chrysler workers this morning. The sale of the Chrysler unit to Cerberus Capital Management is wrapping up, and the executives extended thanks to employees for all the hard work they’ve performed over the past nine years. While they are splitting, the rhetoric in the e-mail indicates that there will be some intertwining of the two businesses going forward.

Collaboration will continue on electrical components (we hope Chrysler can teach Mercedes a thing or two about making reliable electrics), platform architectures for unitized SUVs and power units. Those collaborations were likely far underway when the schism occurred, and both companies will benefit from the cross pollination. We bet Dieter can bang out a convincing “Free BIrd” on that axe.

[Source Detroit Free Press]

 

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