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It's the week ending November 6, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each.
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When Global Vice President of General Motors Design Ed Welburn pulled the silk off the final vehicle in a special event with a small amount of journalists on the first night of Sema, the guests were surprised to find none other than Jay Leno sitting behind the wheel. ...
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Chevrolet has treated us virtually to a revised version of the 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept that debuted at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show . The original concept was also widely seen in “ Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ” – at least by the movie goers not distracted by Megan Fox. In that FX-laden film, the concept played a minor role as “Sideswipe” and was clearly more than meets the eye. (Learn about the production Chevrolet Camaro Transformers Edition .) The original concept was developed as an internal design challenge to combine classic Corvette cues with high-tech features, modern materials, and a striking new appearance. Clearly, the mission was accomplished. The concept features a clamshell hood, scissor-style doors, ergonomic seats, rear-view camera with night vision enhancement, and a high-performance hybrid drive. How much this concept will influence the seventh-generation remains to be seen. Latest rumors about the C7 suggest the car will be smaller than the C6 , benefitting performance and fuel economy. We hope to see the revised concept on the show circuit this season. See our Chicago auto show highlights , and read our Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport and Z06...
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It's the week ending October 30, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each. First, it's too obvious to forget, but this weekend is Halloween, and there are sure to be lots of kidlets swarming the roads in costume on Saturday evening. AskPatty knows Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for children to walk and offers up a selection of tips to help drivers do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe from harm. Love this one: "Empire Strikes Back: White House calls out Edmunds on Clunkers story, Edmunds responds" The facts in the case of the White House versus Edmunds are essentially indisputable - but they are open for interpretation. Thanks to AutoBlog for summarizing this excellent -- and entertaining -- case of "He said, They said." Daylight savings time ends this weekend, be sure to take extra care when driving in residential neighborhoods and approaching intersections and stop signs as you adjust to the added darkness along your familiar roads. Automotive Traveler advises your children to be extra careful if they're walking in a parking lot or crossing the street as the sun sets...
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In a day for sketchy news, Volkswagen released this illustration depicting a new mid-sized sedan that will be production at its new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Although designed with a focus on the American market, this sedan is expected to be exported. Priced in the $20s, the car is a key part of VW’s ambitious goals to significantly increase global sales. Annual production for this model is forecasted to be about 100,000 units. Looking like a cross between the Jetta and Passat, it could be a replacement for either. VW hasn't released any details just yet. More information is expected to be trickled out in coming months. Given the struggling economy Stateside, the best news here is the ongoing investment that will create factory and supplier jobs, trickling further revenue into the nearby communities. The sedan goes on sale in the U.S. late 2011. Read our current Jetta and Passat CC reviews, and research Volkswagen in the new car buyer's guide .
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Acura will add a sport wagon version of its TSX sedan range in fall 2010 as a 2011 model. The automaker is mum on other details, but much can be inferred. Just as the TSX is based on the European-market Accord, the TSX Sport Wagon will be an Americanized Accord Tourer (shown here). Except for the rear cargo section, the interior is likely to carry over from the TSX. Same underhood, where a 2.4-liter, 201-horsepower four-cylinder and 3.5-liter, 280-horsepower V-6 should carry over. The overall package for the current car delivers an appealing balance of performance, driver-centric feel, high-tech amenities, just-right sizing, and competitive pricing. The same should hold true for the hatchback. The TSX sport wagon will probably make the show circuit rounds this coming season, before it competes against the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series , and Mercedes-Benz C-Class next fall. See our Acura TSX V6 and Acura TSX reviews .
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The Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize announced the 43 teams that will advance in its international competition to develop a marketable car that achieves 100 miles per gallone equivalent (MPGe). The teams are campaigning 53 vehicles total that have passed expert review for business plans and technical specifications. These vehicles will progress to the performance and safety testing in the spring as they compete for the $10 million prize. In total, almost 100 entries had been submitted for the contest. The finalists represent 18 states, 10 countries, and six fuel types, signaling the contest’s reach and diversity. Cars on hand at Manhattan’s Classic Car Club for the announcement included the narrow Amp Sky, Commuter Cars Tango, and three-wheel Zap Alias. At the event, X Prize also opened the registration for the DASH+ contest. Funded by a U.S. Department of Energy grant, this parallel competition challenges high schoolers to design the dashboard of the future. School teams can register at FuelOurFutureNow.com , where they can learn more about the related sciences involved in interior design. The qualified teams are listed below, along with their fuel or energy type. Mainstream...
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Nissan has announced that its Nissan LEAF zero-emission, all-electric car will make its North American debut in Los Angeles on November 13. The Los Angeles showing will be the first time people in the United States will be able to see the five-passenger, five-door, gasoline-free car, as it begins its nationwide tour....
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Rather than spending big bucks on autoshow floorspace, Nissan has been touring the Infiniti Essence concept car across America's high-zoot shopping malls for exposure. At each stop, special guests, customers, and dealer VIPS have been invited to preview Infiniti's future design with special interview and photo opportunities, as well as a chance to check out custom-designed Louis Vuitton luggage....
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The mighty Ford F-Series Super Duty is significantly updated for 2011, with a meaner grille, more potent powertrains, and stronger work credentials. (Read our latest Ford Super Duty pickup review .) Behind that imposing grille is a choice of two new engines, a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine and 6.2-liter SOHC V-8 gasoline engine. The diesel is Ford-designed, engineered, and built. Both engines are teamed with an all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection. This transmission marks the first application of Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off) in a Super Duty-class vehicle. When so equipped, the PTO output gear is linked through the torque converter to the engine crankshaft. This allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment such as snowplows, aerial lifts, tow truck lifts, cement mixers, or dump trucks. The power is available any time the engine is running. Ford has not released output figures yet, but the automaker is pounding its chest and citing improved towing capacity and fuel economy. This pronouncement is key, as Dodge has taken off the kid gloves with its own claims. Previously, Dodge sandbagged the published...
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The 2011 Kia Sorento follows its competitors into the car-based crossover market, leaving behind its rear-drive heritage that made it entertaining in the dirt. The new Sorento is longer and wider than the model it replaces , opening space to accommodate three rows of passengers, while offering more head and legroom. The larger vehicle steps it up with packaging, with an AM/FM/Sirius/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary and USB audio input jacks and Bluetooth connectivity. Available push button-start ignition, voice-activated navigation, rear sonar and back-up camera, and air ionization purification technology will help position the Sorento above the Sportage. Two engines will be offered: a 2.4-liter, 172-horsepower four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter, 273-horsepower V-6. Both mills will be matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, and available in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations. These powerplants and size should give the Sorento an edge over the sales-leading Honda CR-V and position it well against the popular Toyota RAV4 . The Sorento will be the first vehicle built at the new West Point, Georgia, factory. The 2011 Sorento goes on sale in January 2010. Read our review of...
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Designed to be the most dynamic and agile Mini ever built, the Mini Cooper Coupe makes its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week. Production intent has not been announced for this concept, though the automaker says it aims to offer a varied and exciting range of small premium cars to customers in the coming years and has reaffirmed that a crossover model is in the final stages of development. Looking like a chopped Cooper hatchback with a toupee, the coupe retains all the essential Mini styling cues below the beltline. Despite the dramatic look, it measures just two inches lower than a production hatchback. The roof is constructed of weight-saving aluminum, and it visually lowers the profile while retaining head room. Inside, there is sculpted, two-tone bucket seating for just the driver and a front passenger. The interior appears common with the production cars, with the exception of two Chronoswiss clocks to the right and left of the tachometer remniscient of earlier Mini concept cars. Rear luggage space is access via a liftgate hinged above the rear spoiler. Mini says the car was engineered to accept the most powerful engine in the current line-up, the 1.6-liter turbocharged...
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In a few days, Lexus will pull the wraps off this compact hybrid concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Designed in California, the LF-CH will make its North American debut in December at the LA Auto Show. This latest concept hybrid vehicle from Lexus explores a more dramatic package than the brand currently offers. Given that the unique styling is attributed as a key factor the success of the Prius, and that hatchbacks are essential for overseas sales, this is a natural direction to pursue. Lexus is mum on the powertrain, saying only that it is powered by "the latest generation of Lexus Hybrid Drive technology." It isn’t a big leap to assume it shares its hybrid system with the Lexus HS 250h , teaming a high-efficiency Atkinson-cycle 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, continuously variable transmission, and electric motor, producing a combined 187 horsepower. Directing the high-tech car’s character, the driver could then select between four modes: Normal, Eco, and EV plus a Sport mode that amplifies throttle response. The LF-Ch concept was designed by Calty Design Research Inc., Toyota’s North American-based research and design center located in Newport Beach. While production...
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Fisker has released a bevy of numbers ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show, where the boutique automaker will make a splash with its four-door Karma next week. (We last saw the Karma at the New York auto show .) The curvaceous plug-in hybrid electric will be touting its fuel economy figures of 3.5L/100km, based on Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) methodology. That translates to about 67 mpg. Calculations developed by SAE estimate carbon dioxide output will be less than that of today's cleanest production cars and 75 percent less than that of competing vehicles, on average, according to Fisker. Fuel economy is the bragging rights future cars will hang their reputation on. Take the Chevrolet Volt , for example. General Motors created big buzz with a marketing campaign centered around a claimed 230 mpg city rating, 100 mpg overall, based on development testing using a draft EPA federal fuel economy methodology for labeling plug-in electric vehicles. This high claim may come back to bite GM, as it is only theoretically achievable. On the other hand, this figure from Fisker appears quite fair on the surface. Only real-world testing will show how practical the rating is. However, there...
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Not much in the way of new product. Remember, the company is rapidly reinventing itself, now that it has purged billions in so-called bad assets and almost 800 dealerships , leaving a leaner Chrysler Group to develop a revised product portfolio with its new corporate partner Fiat. (Read: " Like a Phoenix, New Chrysler Group LLC Rises .") For the imminent future, there simply isn’t much happening. The products are largely in a holding pattern for another model year. However, if you look closely, there are numerous refinements that should make the vehicles more satisfying to own than before, though not the kind of breakthrough changes that are likely to spark showroom traffic. Below are the highlights of the Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep product updates for the 2010 model year. We have already blogged on the notable update to Dodge Caliber’s interior . Most other vehicles that receive any update for the new model year are given a light touch. The one exception is the 2010 Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickups to be offered for the first time in a true crew-cab configuration, complimenting the regular and mega cab. All heavy-duty trucks are distinguished from their light-duty brethren by...
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