Automotive News

Filed under: Etc., Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

To help celebrate its new era of Cerberus stewardship, Chrysler has announced a giveaway. While we were thrilled to give away a Nitro during our relaunch, Chrysler will be giving away 15 different vehicles. The promotion is being referred to as “the ultimate door prize.” Sadly, there is no Viper on the list. You’ll be able to get the full details and learn how to enter at participating U.S. Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep dealers on August 15, which Chrysler has dubbed “The New Chrysler Premiere Event” at its dealerships.

Vehicles on the list of prizes include the Chrysler Aspen, Crossfire, 300C and Pacifica; Dodge Caliber, Charger, Dakota Crew Cab, Durango, Magnum, Nitro and Ram Mega Cab; and Jeep Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee and Liberty. You can click the “Read” link to visit Chrysler LLC’s new website and find a participating dealer near you.

[Source: Inside Line]

 

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Hirings/Firings, Saleen

Hancock Park Associates, the parent company of Saleen, recently wrapped up its purchase of American Specialty Cars Incorporated (ASC), the specialty roof and body maker based in Southgate, Michigan. As part of the deal, Hancock also got Paul Wilbur, the current President and CEO of ASC.

Respecting his leadership in the few years he has been at the helm of ASC, they just announced that he will take over the same duties at Saleen, as well. There appear to be some significant synergies between these two companies, so it looks like a good move. They are both niche vehicle manufacturers, but in slightly different areas.

Together they can now offer OEMs a fuller range of custom systems and services. For now, ASC and Saleen will remain separate entities, although it’s easy to foresee a time in the not-too-distant future where the operations can be streamlined. They are already working together on the 2008 Saleens, Ford Harley-Davidson F-150s, and painting all 2008 Dodge Vipers. The next generation special edition Mustangs and F-150s are also on the drawing boards for the next two years.

There’s a full press release after the jump.

[Source: Saleen]

Continue reading Saleen names Paul Wilbur new President & CEO

 

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Volvo

As long as BMW doesn’t own Volvo, then the Swede is allowed to target the roundel’s cars as competitors. Autocar reports that Volvo is shaking up the lowest two rungs on its sedan line to put more space between them, and to better compete with the 3 Series.

The smallest sedan, the S40, will be be made over from a 4-door sedan into a 5-door hatchback along the lines of the A3 and BMW 1-series. The very name S40 might also be sacrificed, changed instead to V40. The S60, instead of disappearing entirely, will get a longer wheelbase, a better interior, shared tech from the S80 and Mondeo, and a chassis that does a better job at challenging 3 Series dynamics. Part of that redesign, if the renderings are accurate, will be a flared three-section front bumper that is the new hotness in car design. Regarding the car’s sporting aspirations, engineers are said to be battling accountants for funds to design a more sporting chassis. Engines for the S60 will include a 2-liter and 2.2-liter 4-cylinder diesels, the D5 5-cylinder diesels, as well as a 2-liter gas turbo.

It is claimed also that the Volvo logo will also be altered, losing the diagonal bar that spans the grill. Only the circle and arrow — a stylization of the chemical symbol for iron — will remain. All of these changes are slated to appear in 2009-10.

[Source: Autocar]

 

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Filed under: Time Warp, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Acura

Here it is folks, the ethos of at least the second half of the 1980s, neatly encapsulated in 30 seconds. This 1989 home-market commercial launching the DOHC VTEC engine in the Honda Integra plays up the American appeal baked into the car. Badged as an Acura here in the States, the Integra was cementing the reputation of Honda’s upmarket rides in a market that still viewed Honda as a maker of economical, inexpensive cars. The bludgeon-y juxtaposition of an Integra zipping around and Alex P. Keaton Michael J. Fox doing backflips tells you how elated the Integra is supposed to make you feel, but this commercial just makes us feel old. From the opening chord stabs on the Yamaha DX7 to the Huey Lewis soundtrack, this little spot brings 1989 flooding back with a veangance. Many a sunny summer afternoon was whiled away cruising the bike lane with a mongrel Diamondback Viper picked from the trash and resurrected. Integras were starting to get noticed as cars enthusiasts could love, and being junior enthusiasts, we took notice when one motored by. They look especially good when sunset is near, on a winding road dappled with golden sunlight. Ahh, memories - white or red are particulary striking, too. What’s nice to see is that MJF could handle something other than a DeLorean, but we still want to know, “hey kid, what’s with the life preserver?”

Check the video after the jump.

[Source: Winding Road]

Continue reading VIDEO: Huey Lewis! Michael J. Fox! Integra?

 

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Filed under: Government/Legal, Green, Ford

The hallmark of the environmental debate is that there are so many important players on so many different sides. Eminent scientists and intellectuals have taken every side of the debate, challenging their eminent colleagues. When it comes to the two most involved and highly charged players, the automakers and politicians, things get even more curious. On the same day that Bush opposed a gas tax to give states more money to repair bridges, Alan Mulally said he supports the idea of a gas tax to encourage customers to buy more fuel efficient vehicles.

Mulally believes Congress’ CAFE standards represent failed policy and has hurt automakers. Regulating fuel efficiency has, in his opinion, only lead to consumers buying more cars and driving more. While making sure to stress that he and Ford are all in favor of fuel efficient vehicles and environmental health, he wants some of the onus put back on consumers. He said, “I just think it’s so important that we all join in this debate and we really decide what we want to do about energy security and global warming. A piece of that could be a tax.”

[Source: Detroit News]

Continue reading Mulally not proposing a gas tax - but he’s not against it

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, BMW

Just a prototype, but here’s another pic of the new BMW 1-Series Cab that was caught undergoing testing in Germany. While we expect to see the final form at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, we still enjoy getting glimpses of this littlest ultimate driving machine whenever possible.

This particular photo, which you can see in full size over at MotorAuthority, shows the 1-Series sporting a fabric top. And even though this is still a prototype, it looks like the rear end has been modified, ostensibly to accommodate the convertible mechanism.

The cabrio should get the same range of engines as the coupe, starting with the 177-hp, 2.0-liter turbodiesel and going all the way up to the 306-hp, twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter straight-six in the top-of-the-line 135ci, at least overseas. The U.S. will likely get the 125ci and 135ci, with an M1 still just a rumor at this point.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

 

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Filed under: Podcasts, Sedans/Saloons, Trucks/Pickups, Green, Hirings/Firings, Recalls/TSBs, Crossovers/CUVs, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda, Saab, Toyota

We’re back this week for episode #73 of the Autoblog Podcast. It was a tough fight against technical difficulties to get this week’s ‘cast recorded, so it clocks in at an abbreviated 32 minutes. That short duration is packed with goodness, though. First, we analyze Chrysler’s new CEO, Robert Nardelli. Big Bob left Home Depot as something of a pariah, and we wonder out loud how much of that reputation is earned, and if it’s being ported to Chrsyler, LLC. For those of you still with us after we kick the ball around about what will ultimately be perpetrated upon Chrysler by Cerberus, we move on to the best.Trailblazer.evar. Be as hostile as you want to the Saab 9-7x Aero, but the reality is that the most powerful Saab in history is a hell of a nice truck, even better than the Trailblazer SS, upon which its based.

Read on for more.

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #73

 

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Filed under: Audio, Etc., Ferrari

The satellite radio option is about as common in new cars as the near-omnipresent AUX jack for portable music devices. You can argue that the presence of the latter essentially eliminates the need for the former, but some people like being able to tune in to a radio station where there’s the outside chance of hearing songs they may not necessarily own yet. Most luxury marques, from Audi to Rolls-Royce, already have the satellite base covered. So it was a bit of a surprise to learn that Ferrari hadn’t gotten into the game. That’s over though, as Modena has selected XM as its extra-terrestrial radio provider of choice. The first car to get it is the 612 Scaglietti, which is fine and all, but we can’t figure out why anyone would want yet another audio source to compete with the sweet music made by the car’s V12. At least the NavTraffic feature can help keep the Ferrari on roads whose conditions allow it to maintain a proper pace.

[Source: XM Radio]

Continue reading Ferrari adds XM Radio, NavTraffic to 612 Scaglietti

 

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Filed under: Car Buying, Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Porsche

click image above for pair of high-res pics

The 2008 Porsche Limited Edition Boxster that was first shown privately at the New York Auto Show last April will go on sale this September with a base price of $49,990 (Original MSRP $45,800). The higher-performance Limited Edition Boxster S, meanwhile, will start at $59,990 (Original MSRP $55,700).

Dipped in the same eye-popping orange paint as the 911 GT3 RS, the Limited Edition Boxsters also feature the SportDesign package that adds front spoiler lips, a new automatically extending rear spoiler, and slightly altered rear trim to allow for an integrated diffuser. Add to that standard 18-inch black alloy wheels (19-inch for the Boxster S) and additional black trim pieces on the exterior, and you’ve got a fairly stunning exterior package that overshadows a garden variety Porsche Boxster with ease.

Black carries over to the interior where it’s applied to most surfaces including the seats, carpet, dash and door panels. The interior is also trimmed with Alcantara and additional pieces that match the exterior’s orange body color. And while the motors in both cars were left alone, each gets a new sport exhaust system that may liberate some extra power by offering less restriction.

The 2008 Porsche Limited Edition Boxster and Boxster S officially go on sale September 28th, and since Porsche is only building 500 examples, you may want to get your deposit in now.

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche prices Limited Edition Boxster from $49,990, available in September

 

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Filed under: Etc., Euro, Driving

Final Gear is reporting that the BBC America will start airing full episodes of the 8th season of Top Gear later this month. No more of those watered down 30-minute “specials” we saw on BBC World. No more downloading overseas episodes from the net. No more American Top Gear with no recognizable connection to the real deal. Just the same one-hour episodes they get in the UK, piped straight into our homes via BBCA. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May engaging in stunts and challenges, celebrity guests trying their hand at lapping in identical, moderately priced vehicles, and The Stig wringing the most from the latest crop of hot hatches to supercars — it’s all there. The new episodes will start airing August 20th at 8PM ET. We can’t wait.

Jay, thanks for the tip.

[Source: Final Gear]

 

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