Automotive News

Filed under: Sports/GTs, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

The GM-sourced video posted after the jump shows racer/GM test-driver John Heinricy flogging an unnamed new Chevy product on the Nürburgring. While it may be unnamed, it is not unidentifiable. The full interior shot’s a dead giveaway, but if you still can’t figure it out, we’ll give you a hint.

[Source: GM via MyRide]

Continue reading Night Watch: What’s John Heinricy driving on the Nürburgring?

 

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Filed under: Sports/GTs, Etc., Supercars, Ferrari

Every so often, we come across something during our daily slog to and from work that merits a quick post, whether it be an aerodynamically-incorrect F-body, a not-available-in-North-America-but-here-anyway import, or something that’s just plain cool. Today, it was the latter. Even when stuck in traffic like the rest of us, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano looks like it’s moving faster than everyone else. And it sounds just as good. Yep, the ride home this evening got a whole lot more tolerable when this bad boy appeared in front of us. You just don’t see too many of ‘em day-to-day, y’know?

 

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Filed under: Hirings/Firings, Chrysler

Chrysler’s new Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli introduced himself at a press conference this morning as his new No. 2 Tom LaSorda stood by his side (more like directly behind him). LaSorda, who until this past weekend was CEO himself, is staying on the team, though his own No. 2, COO Eric Ridenour, has decided to leave the company after 23 years of service.

Our man on the scene, Chris Shunk, reported there was a lot of talk about this being the “right team” and the “right time”, though LaSorda, who helped devised and launch Chrysler’s current turnaround plan, admitted that he told Cerberus management they should hire someone new if they thought that person could do a better job with the company than he could. Apparently they took him up on his offer.

That’s why we find this picture so appropriate, with LaSorda acting as Chief Executive Wallflower to Nardelli’s new Big Boss Man role. Of course, we know LaSorda’s role will still be important, as both the UAW and CAW have been working with him during the ongoing contract talks that are crucial to the company’s turnaround.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req’d]

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Videos, Opel

The upcoming Epsilon II based Opel Vectra has already been heavily photographed for months now. But as with most European cars, General Motors European team has been running the car extensively at the Nürburgring ahead of its debut in Frankfurt Motor Show next month, and someone with a video camera has caught it in action. The car can be seen with minimal camo both heading out to the track from the Opel garage and circulating in the company of a current generation Vectra. Check out the video after the jump.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Continue reading VIDEO: New Opel Vectra on the move at the ‘Ring

 

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Filed under: Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

Cheaper and better for the environment, Ford’s newest paint process technology is said to reduce greenhouse gases by up to 15 percent while also cutting costs. To help show off this new process and test the paint application’s durability, Ford has teamed up with U-Haul to produce 200 Ford E-Series trucks painted using the best-of-both-worlds technology.

Although they’ll be scattered throughout the U-Haul fleet around the country, you’ll be able to spot them because of their eco-friendly decals. The trucks will be monitored while in service to evaluate this new paint process so Ford can get some feedback for future use on all of it vehicles.

Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford paints the town green with fleet of U-Hauls

 

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Filed under: SUVs, Green, Japan, Nissan

Click image for gallery of the Nissan X-Trail

Nissan has announced that a clean diesel engine will be offered on its Japan-market X-Trail SUV. Based on the M9R engine co-developed with Renault (it’s marketed as the 2.0dCi in the French automaker’s vehicles), the Nissan version will use new catalysts and engine management developed in-house. No specifications on Nissan’s version of the engine have been made public yet, but in Renault guise it’s good for over 40 US mpg in the combined cycle. Nissan also issued a separate release that focused specifically on its development of a SULEV-standard clean diesel (more on that at AutoblogGreen). It’s pasted in full after the jump in addition to the brief release about the diesel X-Trail. Along with bolstering its diesel offerings in Japan, Nissan is paving the way for diesel powerplants in the US, as well, with a clean-diesel Maxima slated for 2010.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Clean diesel heading to the JDM Nissan X-Trail

 

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Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Chevrolet, Toyota

While we do respect the folks over at Consumer Reports, we do not envy them. Whether the subject is vacuums, lawnmowers or half-ton pickups, nearly every test they perform is scrutinized down to the tiniest of details. We suppose it goes with the reputation of being the most reliable source of production information for consumers, but it’s gotta be hell on the nerves.

In its most recent issue, CR is publishing a report on half-ton pickups that might have some crying foul and revisiting claims the publication is biased in favor of imports. Included in the test are the 2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8, 2007 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L V8, 2007 Ford F-150 5.4L V8 and 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L V8. The report puts an emphasis on towing, and (spoiler alert) the Toyota Tundra received the best score of the four pickups. The Tundra also received the “Recommended” label from CR (as did the Dodge Ram 1500), and was awarded a predicted reliability rating of “Very Good” thanks to the past performance of all Toyota’s in CR’s reader survey results.

We can already hear the grumbling. The domestic half-tons are offered in such a dizzying array of configurations, why didn’t CR choose to buy a Silverado with the larger 6.0L V8 and a 4.10 rear-axle ratio (a no-cost option that would have matched the Tundra’s ratio)? Jake Fisher, a senior automotive engineer for Consumer Reports, told Mike Levine at Pickuptruck.com, “For our readers, fuel economy is more important than gaining an extra second or two faster time 0 to 60, and we tested the trucks we felt were configured as our subscribers would use them.”

More after the jump…

Continue reading Consumer Reports rates half-ton pickups, raises eyebrows

 

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Maserati, Driving

Click the Quattroporte for a high-res gallery

Since Maserati North America will be handling distribution when Alfa Romeo comes back to the US market next year with the 8C Competizione, they naturally brought along a couple of their own vehicles to the introduction of Alfa’s new supercar last week. Parked alongside the 8C was one of the gorgeous new Gran Turismo coupes and the new automatic transmission Quattroporte sedan. Following the presentation and food, Maserati PR Manager Jeff Ehoodin asked if I’d like a drive in the Quattroporte. The hot sun not having completely baked my brain yet, I of course responded in the affirmative.

After Jeff fetched the keys, we headed out for a drive around the roads of the Oakland University campus which featured some nice twists, turns and elevation changes. Whatever flaws Italian cars may have had over the years, and there have surely been plenty, one thing they’ve always had in abundance is style, and this latest four-door Maserati is no exception. As part of the Fiat family, the Quattroporte is as close as we are ever likely to come to an official four-door Ferrari.

Continue reading our driving impressions of the Quattroporte after the jump.

Continue reading Autoblog driving impression: 2007 Maserati Quattroporte

 

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Filed under: Etc.

They’re no remote-controlled VW, but these muscle car USB drives are pretty slick. Not as sleek or fast as the Ducatti/Sandisk drives we showed you a couple of weeks ago, but these definitely will appeal to a certain portion of our audience. Made by dummberry and available at the Etsy online store, they take the form of three classic American rides. Looks like a choice of a ‘59 Bonneville (Muscle HOTTRod), ‘62 T-Bird (LowRider CLASSIC) or ‘70 Dodge Challenger (Blazin Green Machine). They are hand-made and come in either 256MB or 1GB sizes for $17 or $30 respectively.

[Source: Etsy via CarScoop]

 

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Filed under: Recalls/TSBs, Suzuki

Although pretty far off most people’s radar, Suzuki’s actually been doing very well lately, setting sales records (more than 100,000 served last year), enjoying three years of double-digit sales growth, introducing the fairly exciting new SX4, and in general working on a larger and better model mix. The Suzuki Sport XL7 even conquered Pike’s Peak this year. Under the tutelage of new American President Masafumi (Mark) Harano, things are looking up. And then along comes word of a recall that certainly doesn’t help.

Apparently faulty front seat belts in relatively ancient Forenza sedans (shown above) and Reno hatchbacks might unbuckle themselves when you’d least like that to happen. The recall affects more than 75,000 cars in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In all fairness to Suzuki, these were vehicles developed with Daewoo, and the Forenza is about to undergo a complete redesign. The success of the SX4 also means that the Reno might become redundant. Either way, it’s a recall and we’ll have to see how it impacts Suzuki’s surge.

[Source: KickingTires]

 

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