December 7th, 2011
Dodge will be unveiling the 2013Dodge Dart at the North American International Auto Show next month in Detroit. Made in America (at the Belvedere, IL plant), Dodge is touting the mini-Charger as a state-of-the-art four-door compact sedan.
The 2013 Dart takes a lot of its DNA from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and will be available with three engine four-cylinder engines (16-valve 2.0-liter engine, a 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo engine, and a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir engine) and transmission choices. One noticeable difference between the Dart and other cars in its class is that the body will be made of 68% high strength steel.
It will be interesting to see just how the historic brand matches their expertise with Fiat’s experience with making small cars.
Are you feeling Dodge’s re-entry into the compact car business?
Tags: Dart, Detroit, Dodge
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November 18th, 2011
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol star Paula Patton joined BMW of North America President Ludwig Willisch at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show to introduce the first concept vehicles of the new visionary and sustainable brand, BMW i – the fully electric BMW i3 Concept and the hybrid-electric BMW i8 Concept. The two vehicles will be the first purpose-built electric and electric-hybrid vehicles to be made primarily of carbon fiber when they become available in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
The BMW i8 Conceptis a sleek, low-slung, silver and glass sports car with flip-up doors. The BMW i3 Concept is a next level smart car, built for congested city driving and features the same color scheme with large glass doors that open “coach” style, i.e. the rear doors opening in the opposite direction from the front.
The new BMW M5 also made its debut at the LAAS. Sim Simma!
More images of Patton and the new concepts After the jump »
Tags: BMW, Electric, hybrid, Los Angeles Auto Show, Paula Patton
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November 3rd, 2011
The new CC will have a new look and a new name. VW has dropped the Passat and added the new radiator horizontal grille flanked by new bi-xenon headlights and topped with a reprofiled bonnet. The bumper has a new extra air intake, and silver-coloured ‘winglets’ that frame the fog lights. The frameless doors remain, but more sculpted sills, revised bumpers and the new bonnet add up to create a subtly updated silhouette.
The CC will also offer new optional technology, including Side Assist Plus with integrated Lane Assist (warns of vehicles in blind spots and assists driver in avoiding an accident by steering intervention), Dynamic Light Assist (automatic main beam control) that is new in the Volkswagen CC and a camera-based traffic sign detection system.
The CC will launch in the US with gas engines–197 hp (TSI) and 276 hp (FSI)–to be presumably followed by a TDI. It will make its debut at the L.A. Auto Show on November 16th before going on sale in the United States in early 2012.
More images
After the jump »
Tags: LA Auto Show, Volkswagen CC
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October 26th, 2011
Nissan is now offering the Nissan 370Z race cars for customer orders. Based on the street legal Z the NISMO RC is much lighter and it has been designed to conform to International FIA GT4 and World Challenge GTS class specifications.
The 370Z NISMO weighs in at 2,954 lbs. and features NISMO race exhaust,NISMO tuned ECM, high capacity NISMO clutch, flywheel, engine oil, transmission and differential coolers and a Recaro racing seat with 6-point racing harness, FIA-compliant roll cage and fire extinguisher. A Sparco racing steering wheel and a revamped and race-ready carbon fiber switch panel are also part of the RC package. The 3.7 liter Nissan VQ37VHR power plant checks in at 355 horsepower and 276 ft. lbs. of torque. The hoses and connectors have also been upgraded to meet the demands of racing.
Is it cheating if don’t build your own car or is it cool to buy a race car as is?
More images After the jump »
Tags: 370Z, NISMO, Nissan, racing
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October 21st, 2011
Wondering what Blake Griffin was doing this summer in preparation for the lockout? It looks like he was recording silly ads for Kia. The latest ad featuring the L.A. Clippers forward features him dunking in roller skates (notice a theme here).
Check the commercial out After the jump »
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September 22nd, 2011
It has been 18 years since BMW introduced the M5. For the fifth generation of the category leading luxury sedan, the German automaker stuck to the script by offering the same luxury customers have grown accustomed along with a much improved driving experience.
Images and details After the jump »
Tags: BMW, M5
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August 23rd, 2011
The new 458 Spider comes on the heels of the 458 Italia (which replaced the F430), bolstering the number of mid-rear engined V8s in the Ferrari fleet. The 458 Spider is equipped with a fully retractable hard top (which is all aluminum and drops in 14 seconds), a naturally aspirated direct-injection 4.5 litre V8 and the dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission which helps the 458 achieve a top speed of 198 mph.
More info and images After the jump »
Tags: 458 Spider, ferrari
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August 3rd, 2011
Nissan LEAF drivers who don’t have an iPhone are in luck. Today Nissan announced that the LEAF app is now available for Android and Blackberry users. The app allows drivers to check important information about their electric vehicle including:
- Check the state of the battery charge
- Begin charging
- Check when battery charge is complete
- See estimated driving range
- Turn the climate control system on or off
Tags: android, Blackberry, iPhone, Nissan LEAF
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July 25th, 2011
From the looks of the image that Honda just released, the fourth generation CR-V’s new design is heavily SUV inspired.
The lines are bolder and Honda continues the vehicles evolution with a fluid and more aerodynamic body style. Auto enthusiasts will get the first look at the new CR-V at the Orange County Auto show in September.
The newly designed CR-V will reportedly hit US dealerships by the end of 2011.
Tags: Honda CR-V
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July 19th, 2011
LEAF owners spoke and Nissan listened. The MY12 vehicle features product enhancements that incorporate feedback from early LEAF drivers, including cold weather features on all trim levels and standard Fast Charge DC on SL trim.
On July 25th Nissan will open up the ordering process to consumers with existing reservations in the Southeast and Illinois followed by new reservations and general orders on August 4th.
First deliveries of the 2012 LEAF are expected to reach dealers in fall at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $35,200 for the SV trim level, and $37,250 for the SL trim level (the monthly lease price will be $369).
Tags: 2012 Nissan LEAF, electric vehicle
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