Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Formula 1 Fans get a new e-zine]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/19/formula-1-fans-get-a-new-e-zine/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/19/formula-1-fans-get-a-new-e-zine/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/19/formula-1-fans-get-a-new-e-zine/#commentsFiled under:



Dubbed "the world's fastest Formula 1 magazine" by its publisher, auto racing's newest publication, Grand Prix +, aims to combine the visual sophistication of a print magazine with the speed of an online news source, with an issue delivered to your email in-box by 9 a.m. (UK time) the day after each Grand Prix.

The new venture by Morienval Press, a sister company of GrandPrix.com, Grand Prix + combines the in-depth race reporting of grandprix.com with feature articles and news about the sport, as well as the stunning photography of Paul-Henri Cahier. The Spanish Grand Prix issue is available for free download here.

A quick review of the Barcelona edition suggests that the Grand Prix + team still has a few bugs to work out, and the design and typography are a bit uneven, but Cahier's photography from the Barcelona race weekend more than makes up for the shortcomings. Another free issue is promised after the Monaco GP, before the e-zine shifts into profit making mode, with an annual subscription of £19.99 or a per-issue price of £1.99.

[Source: GrandPrix.com]

Formula 1 Fans get a new e-zine originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 May 2007 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1Formula1grand prixGrandPrixSat, 19 May 2007 12:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Hartley Enterprises' Haybusa-derived 2.8L V8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/19/hartley-enterprises-haybusa-derived-2-8l-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/19/hartley-enterprises-haybusa-derived-2-8l-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/19/hartley-enterprises-haybusa-derived-2-8l-v8/#commentsFiled under: ,

If four's good, then eight must be better - that's the idea behind this jewel-like V8 engine built by Hartley Enterprises from two Suzuki Hayabusa four-cylinder powerplants.

The 75-degree V8 displaces 2.8 liters, weighs only 200 lb and puts out 400 hp at a window-rattling 10,000 rpm. Torque peaks at respectable 245 ft-lbs (at 7500 rpm!), although dyno runs for a 2.6 liter version show a fairly flat curve. Aside from boring out the 'busa block from 81mm to 83mm, none of the wide variety of performance enhancements available for the bike version have been applied to the HE V8, so it's safe to say we're nowhere near the performance limits of the design.

Hartley's diminutive V8 is produced to order, with the 2.8 liter version priced under $30,000, depending on options. Check out the Hartley Enterprises website for more details, including video of a dyno run with the engine installed in a Caterham 7.

Thanks for the tip, Matt!

[Source: Hartley Enterprises]

Hartley Enterprises' Haybusa-derived 2.8L V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 May 2007 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hartley enterpriseshayabusahayabusa v8Sat, 19 May 2007 11:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione caught at the 'Ring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/16/spy-shots-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-caught-at-the-ring/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/16/spy-shots-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-caught-at-the-ring/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/16/spy-shots-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-caught-at-the-ring/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Alfa Romeo's voluptuous 8C Competizione is currently undergoing the now obligatory rite of passage for any new performance car - hot-lapping the Nurburgring - and World Car Fans has spy shots of the event.

Artfully camouflaged with duct tape, the test mule carries larger wing mirrors and a front fascia with noticeably larger openings than the show car version.

The limited production coupe is slated to lead Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S. market. Trivia types will recall that the Nurburgring holds a special place in the hearts of Alfa fans as the site of Tazio Nuvolari's epic victory over Mercedes and Auto Union in the 1935 German Grand Prix. (Bonus points if you knew that Nuvolari's Alfa Romeo P3 was campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari.)

More spy shots can be seen here.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione caught at the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2007 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8calfa romeoAlfaRomeocompetizioneWed, 16 May 2007 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Wild Fiat concept car debuts at Istanbul Auto Show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/wild-fiat-concept-car-debuts-at-istanbul-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/wild-fiat-concept-car-debuts-at-istanbul-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/wild-fiat-concept-car-debuts-at-istanbul-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A star of Fiat's display at the Istanbul International Auto Show this week is this extreme show car version of its popular Grande Punto, appropriately named the Grande Punto "Radicale." Looking for all the world like a cross between a World Rally Championship contender and a DTM racecar, the Radicale exhibits every aero-tweak known to man, including a coffee table-sized front splitter, huge vented fender flares, a rooftop air intake, and a massive rear diffuser - all topped off with a huge roof-mounted wing.

More pictures here.

[Source: Italiaspeed]


Wild Fiat concept car debuts at Istanbul Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 15:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiatgrande puntogrande punto radicaleThu, 09 Nov 2006 15:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Saab retro-racer takes on Mexico]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/saab-retro-racer-takes-on-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/saab-retro-racer-takes-on-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/saab-retro-racer-takes-on-mexico/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Saab is sending this classic 1960 Saab 96 rally car to Mexico to compete in the upcoming 19th running of La Carrera Panamericana, the legendary '50s open road race, since evolved into a more genteel (and less deadly) vintage car rally.

The forty-six year-old Saab, dubbed "The Pearl," will be piloted by Nicolina Hubert and Anna Sorensson (pictured), who will unleash the three-cylinder, two-stroke Saab on the Mexican roads this Friday, when the road race begins in Veracruz. You can follow their exploits here.

The diminutive Saab 96 was a rally superstar in the early '60s, winning the Monte Carlo rally outright in 1962 and 1963. In race trim, the 850 cc, 38 hp three-banger was bored out to 1000 cc and put out 90 hp, enough to motivate the 1,800 lb FWD classic at race-winning speeds back in the day.

[Source: GM]

Saab retro-racer takes on Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carrera panamericanasaab pearlsaab rallySaabPearlThu, 09 Nov 2006 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Did Porsche, Piech punt VW CEO?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/did-porsche-piech-punt-vw-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/did-porsche-piech-punt-vw-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/did-porsche-piech-punt-vw-ceo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The surprise resignation of Volkswagen CEO Bernd Pischetsrieder may have been orchestrated by VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech (grandson of Ferdinand Porsche) and major VW shareholder, Porsche.

Analysts have long speculated that Piech was grooming Audi CEO Martin Winterkorn as Pischetsrieder's replacement, while Porsche's 20-percent holding in VW saw Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking gain a seat on the VW supervisory board, alongside Porsche's CFO.

Tuesday's move has analysts speculating that Porsche may expand its influence over VW by increasing its stake enough to gain a third board seat, with some investment bankers going so far as to suggest that Porsche may attempt to buy VW outright, or to swap its stake in VW for control of Audi.

[Source: Automotive News - reg. required]

Did Porsche, Piech punt VW CEO? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>piechpischetsriederwinterkornThu, 09 Nov 2006 07:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Sedan sales slump in Europe as crossovers catch buyers' eyes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/sedan-sales-slump-in-europe-as-crossovers-catch-buyers-eyes/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/sedan-sales-slump-in-europe-as-crossovers-catch-buyers-eyes/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/sedan-sales-slump-in-europe-as-crossovers-catch-buyers-eyes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

DaimlerChrysler may be a little out of step with the European market, launching its D-segment Chrysler Sebring in Europe just as the D-segment is facing an exodus of buyers. According to The Car Connection, mid-sized sedan sales in Western Europe are slumping as buyers are drawn to more versatile alternatives, particularly compact MPVs and crossover SUVs.

The Western Europe market share for sedans and hatchbacks stood at 80 percent in 1990, but by last year it had fallen to just 55 percent. In Britain, the trend is even more striking with sedan sales in the first nine months of 2006 down nearly 31 percent from the same period last year.

How bad is it? TCC reports that Nissan, which has stopped production of the D-segment Primera sedan (pictured) for the U.K. market, may not bother replacing it with a new model, steering buyers to its crossovers - the Qashqai, X-trail and Murano.

[Source: TheCarConnection.com]

Sedan sales slump in Europe as crossovers catch buyers' eyes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler sebringd segmentd-segmentprimeraThu, 19 Oct 2006 18:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Baldwin-Motion SuperSpeedster teases before SEMA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/baldwin-motion-superspeedster-teases-before-sema/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/baldwin-motion-superspeedster-teases-before-sema/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/baldwin-motion-superspeedster-teases-before-sema/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Baldwin-Motion, long-time keepers of the Camaro flame and winners of the 2005 SEMA show's design award for Best GM Vehicle with their Camaro SuperCoupe, will be displaying a new variation on the '69 Camaro at this year's show - the SuperSpeedster.

Inside Line has a couple of teaser shots of the car, which sounds a lot like a Speedster variant of Baldwin-Motion's Phase III Camaro (the current SS-427 Speedster model is pictured above), complete with the Phase III's standard 540 cu.in. big-block and its optional Kinsler fuel-injection. With 600 hp of motivation and full independent suspension, you can expect performance to be, um, adequate. We're guessing the price to be at least the equal of the Phase III's $189,000.

Nothing official for the SuperSpeedster on Baldwin-Motion's website yet, but the full specs for the current SS-427 and Phase III models will give you a good idea of what to expect.

[Source: Inside Line]

Baldwin-Motion SuperSpeedster teases before SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baldwin motionbaldwin-motioncamarosuper speedstersuperspeedsterThu, 19 Oct 2006 08:08:00 EST<![CDATA[How to sell 50 BMWs in 92 seconds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/how-to-sell-50-bmws-in-92-seconds/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/how-to-sell-50-bmws-in-92-seconds/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/how-to-sell-50-bmws-in-92-seconds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The BMW M6 convertible may be capable of 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, but luxury retailer Neiman Marcus found out Wednesday that the German drop-top is nearly as quick off the showroom floor, as it sold its entire stock of 50 limited edition M6 convertibles in a record-breaking 92 seconds.

The Neiman Marcus edition M6, the star of NM's 2006 Christmas Book, features a custom Ruby Black exterior finish accented with Piano Black trim elements, and power sports seats wrapped in a custom Gold Brown shade of supple BMW Individual Merino leather.

At $139,000 each, the ever-so-special BMWs rang the register at a rate of $75,543 per second, if only for a minute and a half.

[Source: BMW]

How to sell 50 BMWs in 92 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>m6neiman marcusThu, 19 Oct 2006 07:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Nuccio Bertone inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/nuccio-bertone-inducted-into-automotive-hall-of-fame/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/nuccio-bertone-inducted-into-automotive-hall-of-fame/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/nuccio-bertone-inducted-into-automotive-hall-of-fame/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Legendary designer Nuccio Bertone (1914-1997) has been inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit, taking his place alongside other automotive icons, including Henry Ford, Giovanni Agnelli, Louis Renault and the Michelin brothers.

The Hall of Fame citation accompanying the award reads, in part, "For the influence he has had on car design, for having discovered and encouraged some of the world's best designers, for having contributed to the car industry for decades and for having created some of the best cars around, the Automotive Hall of Fame is proud to include Nuccio Bertone among its members." His tremendous impact on the design community has been honored by many other awards, including honorary doctorates from the Art Center College of Design and Turin Polytechnic, and induction into the European Automotive Hall of Fame in Geneva.

The Bertone Group traces its roots back to 1912, when Giovanni Bertone, then aged 28, opened a workshop specialising in the construction and repair of horse-drawn carriages. In 1914 Giuseppe, the second son in the Bertone family, was born. Everyone took to calling him Nuccio, a nickname which stayed with him for the rest of his life, and become synonymous with Italian style throughout the world. After his death in 1997, Nuccio Bertone was described by Fulvio Cinti, motoring journalist and automotive historian, as "one of the greatest coachbuilders of the century, and international Maestro of Italian style." One of the many seminal designs originating from Stile Bertone was the famous Lancia Stratos 0, shown above. Incredibly, the Stratos 0, which Bertone originally named the Stratoline, debuted nearly four decades ago in 1970.

[Source: Bertone via Car Body Design]

Nuccio Bertone inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automotive hall of famebertonenuccio bertoneWed, 18 Oct 2006 19:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Buck Rogers, your truck is ready]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/buck-rogers-your-truck-is-ready/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/buck-rogers-your-truck-is-ready/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/buck-rogers-your-truck-is-ready/#commentsFiled under: , ,



When Tim Pickens, president of Orion Propulsion, decided to add nitrous to this 2003 Chevy pickup, he wasn't talking about one of those weeny little squirt bottles. No sir, nothing but a full-blown asphalt and nitrous-oxide powered hybrid rocket engine would do.

Pickens, whose rocket credentials include leading the propulsion team for the world's first private spaceship, the X-Prize-winning SpaceShipOne, is displaying his hot rod at the event of the year for up and coming rocketeers, the Wirefly X-Prize Cup in Las Cruces, New Mexico October 20-21. The truck's rocket engine puts out 2,750 lb of thrust, enough for 3/4g acceleration, and it's controlled from the passenger seat by a hand-held video game controller. Dash mounted video displays allow the driver and co-driver to watch the rocket engine in action.

The inaugural X-Prize Cup will also feature the Mark-1 X-Racer, the prototype racing rocket for the upcoming Rocket Racing League. Check out all the action here, including a live webcast of the event.

[Source: X-Prize Foundation]

Buck Rogers, your truck is ready originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 18:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rocket truckRocketTruckx prizex-prizeWed, 18 Oct 2006 18:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Drivers vote on Britain's "Most Boring Road"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/drivers-vote-on-britains-most-boring-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/drivers-vote-on-britains-most-boring-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/drivers-vote-on-britains-most-boring-road/#commentsFiled under:

The envelope please... Britain's Most Boring Road award goes to (drumroll...) the M6 Motorway! The country's longest and busiest motorway was the hands-down choice in a poll of drivers, who were undoubtedly influenced by the M6's track record as one of the worst roads for accidents and traffic jams.

The 230 mile M6 hits a rush-hour peak of 180,000 vehicles, a significant step up from its initially planned capacity of 72,000.

Runner-up in the Most Boring competition was the A30 ("284 miles of bottlenect traffic"), while the third spot was claimed by Britain's first motorway, the M1 ("200 miles of congestion").

A similar survey this summer named the M6 as the road drivers most hate to use.

[Source: Reuters]

Drivers vote on Britain's "Most Boring Road" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>m6m6 motorwayWed, 18 Oct 2006 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford expects U.S. shift to smaller cars to last for years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/ford-expects-u-s-shift-to-smaller-cars-to-last-for-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/ford-expects-u-s-shift-to-smaller-cars-to-last-for-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/ford-expects-u-s-shift-to-smaller-cars-to-last-for-years/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford Motor has seen the future, and it's dominated by crossovers and small cars, according to the company's sales analyst George Pipas. Crossover sales are expected to hit 2.4 million units this year, and pass the 3 million mark by 2010.

Pipas expects crossovers and small cars to dominate the market by the end of the decade, with crossovers, a big hit with baby boomers, likely to grab a narrow lead.

While Ford is well-positioned in the crossover market with its new Edge, its small car situation is pretty grim, with the venerable Focus carrying the flag while the company thrashes to come up with a competitive new subcompact model, not expected to hit the U.S. market until at least 2009.

[Source: Reuters]

Ford expects U.S. shift to smaller cars to last for years originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edgeford edgeford subcompactWed, 18 Oct 2006 06:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Buick tries to avoid Oldsmobile's fate]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/buick-tries-to-avoid-oldsmobiles-fate/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/buick-tries-to-avoid-oldsmobiles-fate/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/buick-tries-to-avoid-oldsmobiles-fate/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Buick's marketers are caught between a rock and a hard place, or more accurately between the aging baby boomers of its core market and the younger Gen-Y buyers it needs to grow the brand. With the average Buick owner nearing retirement age, brand managers are trying to play both sides of the fence, making the OnStar Directions and Connections service (a favorite of older buyers that don't like complex nav systems) standard for all 2007 models, while readying a fleet of tricked-out Lucerne sedans for the upcoming youth-oriented Specialty Equipment Marketers Association trade show in Las Vegas.

The trick for Buick is to keep its core market happy while attracting new, younger buyers - avoiding the fate of the Oldsmobile brand, whose "Not your father's Oldsmobile" campaign alienated the AARP segment while bland models failed to attract new customers. Falling market share eventually led to the demise of the famous brand.

So how's Buick doing? Well, the average age of a Buick owner is 63 (compared to 58 for Cadillac), and sales are down 17 percent so far this year while General Motors as a whole is down only 11 percent. We'll see if the SEMA initiative lights a fire under the tuner crowd, but the upcoming Enclave certainly looks well-positioned to grab a significant share of the luxury crossover segment.

[Source: BrandWeek]

Buick tries to avoid Oldsmobile's fate originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enclavelucerneTue, 17 Oct 2006 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota, Honda dominate U.S. fuel economy ratings]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/toyota-honda-dominate-u-s-fuel-economy-ratings/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/toyota-honda-dominate-u-s-fuel-economy-ratings/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/toyota-honda-dominate-u-s-fuel-economy-ratings/#commentsFiled under:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy released Tuesday the 2007 edition of the government's Fuel Economy Guide, and Toyota and Honda models dominate the top of the rankings, with seven of the top ten fuel economy ratings, led by Toyota's Prius. Ford Motor was the only American automaker to crack the top ten, with three of its Ford and Mercury hybrids.

Here are the ten best, in order:
1. Toyota Prius
2. Honda Civic Hybrid
3. Toyota Camry Hybrid
4. Ford Escape Hybrid FWD
5. Toyota Yaris (manual)
6. Toyota Yaris (automatic)
7. Honda Fit (manual)
8. Toyota Corolla (manual)
9. Hyundai Accent (manual) tied with the Kia Rio (manual)
10. Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD tied with the Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD

While the gas-sipping Prius topped the list with EPA economy numbers of 60 mpg city and 51 mpg highway, the much less expensive gas-only Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit turned in very impressive numbers (34/40 and 33/38, respectively for the manual transmission versions).

Perhaps the most entertaining aspect of the report is the seeing the EPA categorize the Aston Martin DB9 as a "minicompact," the Bentley Azure as a "subcompact," and the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti as a "midsize" car. (All three posted worst-in-class numbers, by the way.)

Lots more info at the government's fuel economy website, here.

[Source: EPA]

Toyota, Honda dominate U.S. fuel economy ratings originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doeepafuel economyfuel efficiencyFuelEconomymileageTue, 17 Oct 2006 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Volkswagen Tiguan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/spy-shots-volkswagen-tiguan/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/spy-shots-volkswagen-tiguan/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/spy-shots-volkswagen-tiguan/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As Volkswagen's new compact SUV inches closer to its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, Hans Lehmann's photogs have grabbed a new set of spy shots of the Touareg's baby brother undergoing testing in the California desert.

Based on the Golf platform, the new 4x4 will slot into the market alongside Toyota's RAV 4, Honda's CR-V, the BMW X3 and the Land Rover Freelander.

Follow the link for the full gallery of spy shots.

[Source: WorldCarFans.com]

Spy Shots: Volkswagen Tiguan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>tiguantouaregTue, 17 Oct 2006 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[ Ford forced to weather the storm through 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/ford-forced-to-weather-the-storm-through-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/ford-forced-to-weather-the-storm-through-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/17/ford-forced-to-weather-the-storm-through-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

By now, everyone knows that Ford Motor is in trouble in North America, largely because of a product line that missed a rapid shift in consumer preferences, but there's a limit to how quickly the company will be able to restructure to meet the challenge, according to Ford's president for American operations, Mark Fields.

Fields says that Job 1 for the automaker is stabilizing the business, while rolling out carefully targeted new vehicles aimed at key market segments, like Ford's new Edge crossover. While Ford sticks to a carefully measured plan for upgrading its product line, analysts predict that things are going to get worse before they get better, with the new models currently in the pipeline not having a significant impact on the automaker's results until 2009. Ford itself is predicting that its U.S. market share will drop from its current 16 percent to around 14 percent in the next few years.

Nonetheless, Fields says there are no plans to rush new models to market, citing the risk that a crash development program might compromise product quality. Meanwhile, the company is just gearing up for a massive employee buyout program that will eliminate 30,000 factory jobs.

In a masterpiece of understatement, Fields told reporters in San Francisco yesterday that "The next number of quarters will be interesting, given what we are trying to accomplish."

For those who missed it, check out what we believe Ford's lineup should have been had the automaker gotten out in front of the shifting marketplace.

[Source: Reuters]

Ford forced to weather the storm through 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mark fieldsway forwardWayForwardTue, 17 Oct 2006 13:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota's state of panic over NASCAR debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/toyotas-state-of-panic-over-nascar-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/toyotas-state-of-panic-over-nascar-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/toyotas-state-of-panic-over-nascar-debut/#commentsFiled under: ,



When former NASCAR champion Bill Elliott failed to qualify a Dodge for last weekend's Bank of America 500 for new team Red Bull Racing, which is one of the three Toyota teams for the company's inaugural Nextel Cup season in 2007, it cast a harsh spotlight on the steep learning curve facing Toyota's teams as they venture into the upper echelon of left-turn-only racing.

In the words of Lee White, senior VP for Toyota Racing Development, "I see light at the end of the tunnel, but there's still a mountain to climb."

Dodge, which re-entered Cup racing in 2000 after a 23-year layoff, could tell Toyota just how high that mountain can be - despite the best efforts of superstar team managers Ray Evernham and Roger Penske, it was only this year that Evernham Motorsports' Kasey Kahne (who won this weekend) started to make regular appearances in victory lane.

The learning curve will be even steeper for Toyota's teams, as they struggle to develop both a current-spec Nextel Cup streamliner with the Camry badge, and NASCAR's "Car of Tomorrow" racer (shown above in its Camry guise), which makes its part-time debut in selected races next year. (Rumor has it that NASCAR is pushing for the COT to be used as soon as the Bud Shootout in the run-up to the season-opening Daytona 500 in February.)

[Source: Boston Herald]

Toyota's state of panic over NASCAR debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camrycar of tomorrownascarnascar camrytoyota racing developmenttrdMon, 16 Oct 2006 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a load off on your Porsche 917 sofa]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/take-a-load-off-on-your-porsche-917-sofa/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/take-a-load-off-on-your-porsche-917-sofa/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/take-a-load-off-on-your-porsche-917-sofa/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you're looking for the ultimate piece of furniture to park in your living room the next time you watch Steve McQueen's Le Mans, look no further than the U.K. firm Inspired Design and its Porsche couch. Based on the all-conquering Porsche 917 of the 1970s, the fiberglass and leather couch rests on a powder-coated steel frame and features four period-correct headlights (and yes, they can be made to work).

The striking piece of furniture is being manufactured in limited editions of seventeen, each inspired by the livery and racing number of a famous 917, including the Gulf example shown, and the striking number 23 SEV Marchal 1970 Le Mans winner.

Buyers prepared to part with £3995 can pick their favorite Porsche, or have one made in their own corporate colors. More pics after the jump!

[Source: Inspired Design via Winding Road]

Continue reading Take a load off on your Porsche 917 sofa

Take a load off on your Porsche 917 sofa originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>917 couchinspired designsInspiredDesignsporsche 917porsche couchMon, 16 Oct 2006 14:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: 2009 Lotus Esprit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/10/spy-shots-2009-lotus-esprit/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/10/spy-shots-2009-lotus-esprit/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/10/spy-shots-2009-lotus-esprit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hans Lehmann's photogs claim to have snapped the first full prototype of the new Lotus Esprit - known inside Lotus as the "MSC" (for mid-engined supercar). With the production version not scheduled to debut until late 2008, it's unlikely that there is much to be learned from the transformer-like bodywork in the photos, but the fact that there's a functional prototype, presumably embodying the Esprit's all-new aluminum structure and the basic suspension and drivetrain elements, at least indicates that the highly publicized project is on schedule.

That's good news for Lotus, as the new Esprit platform is expected to be the foundation for other models, likely including a smaller 6-cylinder sportscar. The Esprit is intended to be Lotus' performance flagship, going head-to-head with Ferrari's F430, and is expected to have a powerplant equal to the task, rumored to be a 4.8-liter BMW-sourced V8.

Follow the link for more photos.

[Source: WorldCarFans.com]

Spy Shots: 2009 Lotus Esprit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Oct 2006 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>espritmscTue, 10 Oct 2006 11:56:00 EST