Automotive News

Filed under: Chrysler

That Wolfgang rumor? It appears that we can file it under “not accurate.” The new chief executive of Chrysler LLC will not be the former wunderkind. Instead, former Home Depot CEO Robert Nardelli will assume the top spot in Auburn Hills, according to reports in both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Chosen by Cerberus because of his turnaround expertise, Nardelli will reportedly receive a performance-based compensation package, i.e. if the company doesn’t show improvement, he won’t be paid.

Mr. Nardelli left Home Depot in January after developing a strained relationship with shareholders over his compensation package and the company’s stock price. However you look at it, the appointment comes as a surprise. The New York Times reports that current Chrysler chief Tom LaSorda will assume the role of vice-chairman and president. The Wall Street Journal is also reporting that current Chrysler COO, Eric Ridenour, will likely depart the company.

No official word from Chrysler yet, but we assume that’s coming soon.

[Sources: New York Times, Wall Street Journal via Jalopnik]

 

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Filed under: Tuners, Audi

There are those who can never be satisfied with near perfection. Kicherer just couldn’t leave well enough alone, and just had to go and improve Audi’s new supercar, the R8.

The German tuner smartly left the mechanicals alone, and focused on altering the R8’s aesthetics and handling. A new front spoiler reduces front lift, while a new rear spoiler adds downforce. Original 19″ rims were replaced with larger but lighter 20s. But the most obvious, and perhaps most effective, change is the new set of springs that takes the car down 15mm in front and a whopping 30mm in front.

No word on how these changes affect the R8’s already phenomenal handling, nor is there any word on how phenomenally these changes will affect your wallet. But we’re pretty sure if you’re seriously interested in buying one, you know who to call to find out.

For more photos, check out our gallery.

[Source: Motor Authority]

 

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Filed under: Chrysler

We knew Chrysler would be returning to its well known pentastar logo after the sale of itself from DaimlerChrysler to Cerberus Capital Management went through, and that day was last Friday. Soon after we got a tip from a reader pointing us to a new website promoting “The New Chrysler”, as well as its new look pentastar logo.

Big things are happening at Chrysler, obviously, including the sale, name change to Chrysler LLC, and the announcement of the automaker’s new, industry-leading lifetime powertrain warranty. The new website touts all these things and tells us to “Get Ready for the Next Hundred Years”. If you’re interested in a breakdown of Chrysler’s relationship with Cerberus, it’s got that too.

Thanks for the tip, Tool!

[Source: Chrysler]

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Filed under: Gadgets, Japan

Today we take you all the way back to 2004 with an update on the Japan Automotive Software Platform and Architecture, or JASPAR for short. This is a consortium of Japanese automotive and technology companies, which is developing a new standard operating system for Japanese vehicles. A competing OS is being designed in Europe by BMW and Daimler, among others. Currently, Bosch owns about 70% of the current market share when it comes to automotive electronics with their OS, known as OSEK.

As you are most definitely aware if you have purchased a car in the last few years, our expectations are that our vehicles will come with more and more gadgets, and we also expect them to work right all the time. Nobody wants to reboot their cars in the morning when they are running late for work, right? Even worse would be the dreaded BSOD while driving 70 mph down the highway on your way home. So, let’s just hope that the “development by committee” approach pays off and the end result is reliable.

[Source: The Raw Feed]

 

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Filed under: Japan, Scion, Toyota

Click image for gallery

The oddly-named JDM Toyota ist was formally introduced this week, and as was the case with the Toyota Blade Master, another new arrival in Japan’s Toyota stores, a range of TRD accessories was announced very shortly thereafter. They do the job of dressing up the rather bland ist, which is Japan’s version of the USDM Scion xD.

Naturally, there’s a replacement grille, body kit, and new wheels. The look can be further augmented with branded scuff plates, TRD Sportivo suspension parts, and a TRD muffler. Hell, TRD even offers a red engine start button. The US-market Scions have always been pushed as being very customization-friendly, and really, it’s no different for the JDM cars. The available accessories do a nice job of dressing things up.

[Source: Toyota via Carview]

 

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Tuners, Brabus

2007 marks the 30th year of operation for Mercedes-Benz ultra-tuner, Brabus. The company’s vehicles are gleeful forays into the outer limits of street-legal power. Clearly, somewhere in Bottrop, lab-coated engineers are trying to find a way bend the space/time continuum via the use of tuned V8 and V12 combustion engines.

And we love them for it.

Now, the thing with BRABUS is that oftentimes, its creations have heavy visual modifications to go along with the monsters that live under their bonnets. So, in a move away from standard procedure, the company’s newest creation will be more in the mold of a sleeper. Brabus says it will unveil a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” at the upcoming IAA in Frankfurt. You might argue that AMG already does this in-house. Who cares. If BRABUS wants to show us how it does a sleeper, we’re all eyes and ears. If the picture above is an actual hint, we think it’s going to be a stockish-looking C-Class with utterly obscene power. More to come from Frankfurt, and we’re looking forward to it.

PR after the jump

[Source: BRABUS]

Continue reading BRABUS turns 30: Sleeper to be unveiled in Frankfurt

 

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Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes Benz

Current F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso has been stripped of his pole position at today’s Hungarian Grand Prix after blatently holding up the FIA’s favorite rookie, and reported second coming of Christ, Lewis Hamilton in the pits during qualifying yesterday, in a move reminiscent of Michael Schumacher’s “on-street parking” at Monaco in 2005.

The tactic visibly incensed team boss Ron Dennis, who is clean to polish McLaren’s tarnished image following Ferrari’s allegations of cheating, but could be good news for engine supplier and sponsor Mercedes who has been making the most of Hamilton and Alonsos’ intense rivalry.

[Source: Autosport]

 

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Filed under: Sports/GTs, Supercars, Ford

Click image above for high-res gallery of the new Saleen 550.

During this year’s Ford GT National Rally II, specialty manufacturer Saleen showed off a new limited edition model. Called the Saleen 550, it is a tribute to Saleen’s involvement with the development and production of the Ford GT. Based on their 550-horsepower S281 Extreme Mustang, this Saleen 550 is only available to Ford GT owners. Think of it as a daily driver that gives you the same horsepower as your GT, but with more manageable doors and ground clearance. Plus there’s that back seat and trunk. The cars will be painted to match the buyers’ GTs and will therefore be available in Mark IV red, Tungsten, Midnight Blue, Speed Yellow, Mark II black, Centennial White, Satin Silver, or the Gulf-inspired Heritage Blue/Epic Orange combo. This last combo was the one they had on hand and it looked pretty awesome in person. We’ll get you more details as they become available, and hopefully some media pics too, but for now, check out some of the shots we got of the heritage car outside the Saleen Store.

 

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Filed under: Supercars, Ford, Driving

Click above image for large high-res gallery from the National Rally II stop at C&C.

One year ago, in August 2006, there was a huge gathering of Ford GT owners in Michigan. The group descended on Dearborn from all over the world to tour the Wixom and Saleen Special Vehicle plants where the GTs were built. It was really a great event that covered four days and allowed the owners to bond and share in their mutual joy of ownership of this unique American supercar. Flash forward to 2007, and the group decided to try it again. Organized by Ford GT Forum admin, DBK, it was a super event. Rather than trekking back to Michigan, this time they decided to head west.

The rally (it’s more of a reunion now) convened in Southern California, with stops at the Petersen Museum, the Saleen Store, the El Toro Marine base for a Saleen “School of Speed” autocross, and a visit to Ford’s Premier Automotive Group facility in Irvine for their weekly Cars and Coffee show. This year’s event, appropriately enough dubbed Ford GT National Rally II, included not only owners, but some key GT development people like Camilo Pardo, Jamal Hameedi, Tom Reichenbach, Rich Robeck, “The GT Guys” Rich Brooks and Dennis Breitenbach and many others. Altogether about 90 GTs showed for the meet, with another 20 or so GT40 recreations also on hand to add some heritage. Twenty-four states and one Canadian province were represented.

Check out the huge gallery.

[Source: Ford GT Forum]

Continue reading Ford GT National Rally II stops at Cars & Coffee event

 

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