Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/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/ Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[VIDEO: Lexus LFA illicitly investigated by fanboy in secret warehouse]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/video-lexus-lfa-illicitly-investigated-by-fanboy-in-secret-ware/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/video-lexus-lfa-illicitly-investigated-by-fanboy-in-secret-ware/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/video-lexus-lfa-illicitly-investigated-by-fanboy-in-secret-ware/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


Motor Mavens sneaks a look at Lexus LFA - Click above to watch video after the break

If Motor Mavens legitimately got a call from a well-placed friend and truly snuck in to fiddle with a $400,000 car that's ostensibly in trustworthy care, we apologize, but it smells really staged from here. It doesn't matter, though, the LFA looks fantastic in this video, and the LCD gauges are cool to watch in action. That's the real value of this video, watching the interior come alive like the bridge of some kind of spaceship.

Damon talked about the way the gauges animate to display different information, but watching the display slide around makes us want to be the guy sitting in the driver's seat, twiddling all the buttons with meaty, indiscriminate paws. The entirety of the car is as worthy of "dude, check this out" as you'd expect from a supercar-class vehicle. Check it out after the jump, and let us know if we're being too suspicious.

We're just having trouble with details like interested-looking parties reflected in the window of the opening shot, and the fact that it's supposed to be poor quality, but looks pretty decent and apparently, when you drop everything and run out of the house, you take the time to call a cameraman. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to go line our winter hats with tinfoil. Thanks for the tip, Michael!


Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA


Photos copyright (C)2009 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Motor Mavens]

Continue reading VIDEO: Lexus LFA illicitly investigated by fanboy in secret warehouse

VIDEO: Lexus LFA illicitly investigated by fanboy in secret warehouse originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> lexuslexus fanLexus LF-ALexusFanLexusLf-aLF-Alfalfa fanLfaFan Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:29:00 EST <![CDATA[LA 2009: Maximum Bob, Maximum Live Blog]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/la-2009-maximum-bob-maximum-live-blog/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/la-2009-maximum-bob-maximum-live-blog/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/la-2009-maximum-bob-maximum-live-blog/#comments Filed under: ,


Click above to view the live blog after the jump

We're here in the City of Angels to watch Fritz Henderson deliver GM's keynote address to the all us media types here at LA Auto Show. Only thing is, Fritz resigned yesterday, and for some reason interim CEO Ed Whitacre will not be delivering the keynote. Which can only mean one thing -- GM's Vice Chairman of Marketing and Communications Bob Lutz will be delivering the opening address. Are you as excited as we are? We kinda doubt it. Make the jump to read our live blog.

Continue reading LA 2009: Maximum Bob, Maximum Live Blog

LA 2009: Maximum Bob, Maximum Live Blog originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bob lutzBobLutzgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmlala 2009la auto showLa2009LaAutoShow Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:40:00 EST <![CDATA[Royal Scam? UK license plate "D1ANA" expected to fetch £100,000 at COYS auction]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/royal-scam-uk-license-plate-d1ana-expected-to-fetch-100-000/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/royal-scam-uk-license-plate-d1ana-expected-to-fetch-100-000/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/royal-scam-uk-license-plate-d1ana-expected-to-fetch-100-000/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Coys of Kensington will be hosting a True Greats auction on December 1, and among the items for sale will be an MG service manual (Lot 1), a Corvette poster (Lot 61), and some pre-WWII driving gauntlets (Lot 81). Oh, and there'll also be the matter of Lot 142, a number plate reading "D1ANA" expected to pull down £100,000. That's $164,174 to us here in the American system.

That's no small beer, certainly, yet while it might appear to be impressive, other less obviously impressive number plates have recently been fetching ridiculous amounts: aside from the UK tuner who bought the "F 1" plate for $870,000, earlier this year a gent - also in the UK - bought "1 D" for $513,000. And it's not just our British pals in that game: "D1ANA" is far less fetching than the number "6," which was bought by a Delaware man for $675,000. So there.

The preliminary viewing was today, but it's not too late to get in on the auction. Follow the jump for the press release, and get your pounds and pence ready.

[Source: Coys]

Continue reading Royal Scam? UK license plate "D1ANA" expected to fetch £100,000 at COYS auction

Royal Scam? UK license plate "D1ANA" expected to fetch £100,000 at COYS auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> englandeuropelicense platelicense plate auctionLicensePlateLicensePlateAuctionnumber plateNumberPlateprincess dianaPrincessDianauk Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST <![CDATA[Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/feds-punt-on-e15-waiver-decision/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/feds-punt-on-e15-waiver-decision/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/feds-punt-on-e15-waiver-decision/#comments Filed under: ,



There is some ethanol in almost all of the gasoline sold in the U.S. Usually, this amount is no more than 10 percent of the total and, if it's more than that, it jumps all the way to 85 percent and is sold as E85. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was supposed to come down on one side or the other today of a possible increase across the board to 15 percent that Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers asked for, but instead announced that it needs more time.

The EPA has been looking at the E15 issue all year and investigating all sorts of issues, but there are a lot of moving parts in this sort of decision. Everyone from farmers and their subsidies to grow the corn used to make most of the ethanol sold today to car makers who have tuned their engines to run on E10 but not E15 want to have their say. The EPA has heard the comments, and now says that it needs more time to test E15 in vehicles. Right now, it thinks that any vehicle built after 2001 will burn E15 just fine, but there are a lot of older vehicles still on the road. Cash For Clunkers didn't get all of them off the road, after all. A decision is now expected in mid-June 2010.

The postponement was met with approval by the Alliance of Automobile Manufactures, which said they want more government testing "to prove that increasing the allowable ethanol blend limit will not harm vehicle emissions, performance, and durability." Read their full statement after the jump.

[Source: Reuters, Auto Allliance | Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images]

Continue reading Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars

Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> e10e15e85environmental protection agencyEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyepaethanolgrowth energyGrowthEnergyU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyU.s.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST <![CDATA[Push Me, Pull You: R&T investigates the comings and goings of gear changes]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/push-me-pull-you-randt-investigates-the-comings-and-goings-of-ge/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/push-me-pull-you-randt-investigates-the-comings-and-goings-of-ge/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/push-me-pull-you-randt-investigates-the-comings-and-goings-of-ge/#comments Filed under:



When it isn't unusual to get into five or six different cars a month, you realize you spend a lot of time figuring out how, and how many ways, one can shift the gears in an automatic or double-clutch car. Where is the shifter? How many settings does the shifter have? How do I get into manual shift mode? Once there, how does it work? Are there paddle shifters as well? Do the paddle shifters move with the wheel or not? And so on...

Road & Track surveyed a number of automakers about how they set up their manual shifting modes. Some require you to push the lever forward to upshift, while for others that's a downshift, and a couple demand you move the lever side-to-side. The 13 makers examined all have their reasons, the loose consensus being that the forward-for-downshift bunch is modeled after driving dynamics, the forward-for-upshift bunch based on intuitiveness and customer feedback.

At least two makers have two cars that use different shifting methods. And if not for Subaru, Audi, and Porsche there'd be a nice way to classify the forward-for-upshift crowd as being for buyers who aren't into sporting driving. As far as we're concerned, forward should be for downshifts, and single-function paddles should be mounted on the wheel, not the column. But you can tell us what you think in the comments.

[Source: Road & Track]

Push Me, Pull You: R&T investigates the comings and goings of gear changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> gearboxManual TransmissionManualTransmissionroad and trackRoadAndTrackshiftingtransmission Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:59:00 EST <![CDATA[Global search reportedly on to find successor for Ratan Tata]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/needs-image-global-search-reportedly-on-to-find-successor-for/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/needs-image-global-search-reportedly-on-to-find-successor-for/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/needs-image-global-search-reportedly-on-to-find-successor-for/#comments Filed under: , ,



Three years ago the retirement age for Tata's holding company was upped to 75. Although Ratan Tata is only 71, there is no obvious successor to take his place at the head of India's global conglomerate, so the search has begun for the leader of the next act.

Whoever that person is will take the conductor's baton and guide an orchestra of 98 companies and 357,000 workers. He or she will also need to deal with the twin anchors of Jaguar-Land Rover debt and Corus Steel debt, both of which were brought on by economic freefall after top-of-the-market acquisitions.

At this point it looks like the CEO spot will be taken by someone outside the Tata family for only the second time in the history of the company. And while Ratan Tata has said "It would certainly be easier if [my successor] were an Indian national," he is open to filling the position with a foreigner. The company has three years to conclude, with Tata expected to step down in 2012.

[Source: Times Online | Photo: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images]

Global search reportedly on to find successor for Ratan Tata originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> ratan tataRatanTataretirementtatatata ceoTataCeo Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:59:00 EST <![CDATA[Cambodian reportedly develops 'telepathic' new car]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/report-cambodian-develops-telepathic-new-car/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/report-cambodian-develops-telepathic-new-car/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/report-cambodian-develops-telepathic-new-car/#comments Filed under:

Cambodia is known for a few things - such as the amazing ancient ruins in Angkor Wat and an over-abundance of scooters and three-wheeled Tuk Tuks - but a real-life automobile industry is most definitely not one of them. Not yet, at least. While current transportation choices are mostly imported from Vietnam and Thailand, there's apparently a growing desire in Cambodia for a homegrown automobile.

In fact, a number of individual Cambodians have taken it upon themselves to jump start the nascent auto industry by creating their very own DIY cars... even ones that supposedly respond to telepathic commands. According to Nhean Phaloek, a 51-year-old Cambodian who just built his Angkor 333-2010 (at right), "I just snap my fingers and the car's door will open. Or I just think of opening the car's door, and the door opens immediately."

While we're not quite ready to buy the thought-control bit, building your very own two-seat convertible for $5,000 that can hit speeds of about 62 miles per hour is itself an accomplishment to be proud of. Thanks for the tip, Adrián!

[Source: AFP via Yahoo]

Cambodian reportedly develops 'telepathic' new car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> cambodiacambodia carCambodiaCarcambodiancambodian carCambodianCartelepathtelepathictelepathic carTelepathicCartelepathy Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:28:00 EST <![CDATA[Bentley does a double-decker bus for charity]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/bentley-does-a-double-decker-for-charity/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/bentley-does-a-double-decker-for-charity/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/bentley-does-a-double-decker-for-charity/#comments Filed under: , ,


Luke, a London Routemaster bus retrofitted by Bentley for St Luke's hospice - Click above for high-res image gallery

We haven't met anyone who works in the Bentley factory. (At least, this writer hasn't.) But we like them already. Because while workers at other assembly plants go on strike or to Eminem concerts when they've got no more work, the crew from Crewe puts their energy and considerable talents into charitable endeavors. A couple of weeks ago we brought you a collection of artwork created by Bentley craftsmen, scheduled to be auctioned off to benefit cancer research. Now they've completed work on a bus for a hospice.

The decommissioned London Routemaster double-decker city bus affectionately named Luke was acquired by St Luke's hospice - a care facility for the terminally ill in Winsford, Cheshire - earlier this year. The goal was to use it as a sort of "community charity bus" to be used for fundraising, public awareness and as a "traveling shop" for college campuses. We don't know exactly what that entails, but the results, billed as the world's most luxurious charity bus, are impressive.

Very different in nature from rival Aston Martin's bus project, 59 Bentley workers from the woodshop, tool-room and maintenance departments volunteered some 2,000 man-hours to transform Luke from a mode of public transportation into what looks like an impeccably well-crafted vehicle for charitable work. See for yourself in the gallery below, and follow the jump for the full press release.


Gallery: Luke the bus outfitted by Bentley


[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Bentley does a double-decker bus for charity

Bentley does a double-decker bus for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bentleybentley charityBentleyCharitybuscharitydouble-deckerhospicelondonlondon buslondon routemasterLondonBusLondonRoutemasterlukeroutemasterst lukesStLukes Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:57:00 EST <![CDATA[It Begins: First tuned Tata Nano spotted]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/it-begins-first-tuned-tata-nano-spotted/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/it-begins-first-tuned-tata-nano-spotted/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/it-begins-first-tuned-tata-nano-spotted/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,

DC Designs customized Tata Nano - Click above for image gallery

It was bound to happen. Think back to when Volkswagen Beetles infested the roads of the globe; there was no shortage of customized Bugs. Tata aims to put the world on wheels with its low-priced Nano, offering mobility to India's massive population for what many Americans just dropped on Black Friday. To stave off an impending swarm of same-same vehicles, and cash in with buyers looking to stand out, New Delhi-based Carnation Auto (not to be confused with North America's Car Nation) has teamed up with Dilip Chhabria's DC Design to offer prefab-custom options for the Nano.

The endeavor has been given the tagline, "The Artist Meets the Enabler," and it began with tarted-up offerings for the Toyota Innova, creating a car called the Innov8. If the reworked MPV is any indication, we can expect the DC Design Nano to have an interior that apes a Gulfstream, while we can all plainly see what's been done to the exterior. The Nano kit is not yet available, but Carnation says it will be ready to join the already-available Innova, Honda City, and Suzuki Swift kits in 2010. We're sure opinions abound over this visually-charged Nano, so feel free to express yourselves in the comments. Press release posted after the jump.


Gallery: DC Designs Cars


[Source: CarnationDC.com via Indian Auto Talk]

Continue reading It Begins: First tuned Tata Nano spotted

It Begins: First tuned Tata Nano spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> carnation autoCarnationAutoDC Designdc designsDcDesignDcDesignsdilip chhabriaDilipChhabrianew delhiNewDelhitataTata Motorstata nanoTataMotorsTataNanothe artist meets the enablerTheArtistMeetsTheEnabler Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:59:00 EST <![CDATA[VW Gol: Brazilian proto-Impreza by VW?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/vw-gol-brazilian-proto-impreza-by-vw/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/vw-gol-brazilian-proto-impreza-by-vw/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/vw-gol-brazilian-proto-impreza-by-vw/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

VW Gol

The string of interesting and offbeat Volkswagens from the firm's Brazilian division is enough to fill a coffee-table book. The SP2, for example, is one of the prettiest variations ever laid atop Type III mechanicals, one that many die-hard Volks-fans in the United States have never heard of. The rest of the world probably knows better what VW do Brasil has wrought; forty-something years of cars we'd dearly love to roll here in The States, but which never came north. Eventually, a Brazilian VeeDub did head for os Estados Unidos.

Instead of Brasilias or Karmann Ghia TCs, we got the Fox. Known in Brazil as the Gol, which rode on its own BX platform, itself a derivate of the B1 platform that underpinned other VW and Audi products. Our Foxes were all sedans or wagons, but a recent troll of old car ads on Flickr turned up this masterpiece. Look carefully - we always thought the Fox transaxle looked a lot like the naughty bits of a Beetle. And there it is, a doghouse-shrouded 1300cc bit of air-cooled muscle mounted in the FRONT. Hot diggety, this thing has it all, 3-door hatch bodywork, a flat-four, and no pesky coolant to boil over in tropical climes. The closest you can come to something like this now is an Impreza hatch, which is an exponentially better car. That doesn't stop us from thinking about bolting that spare 1600DP into a Polo-Edition Fox and warping everyone's minds at the next Spring Dust-Off.

[Source: Flickr/Hugo90 - CC2.0]

Gallery: VW Gol

VW Gol: Brazilian proto-Impreza by VW? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> brazilbrazilian volkswagenBrazilianVolkswagengolvintage volkswagenVintageVolkswagenVolkswagenvolkswagen foxvolkswagen golvolkswagen of brazilVolkswagenFoxVolkswagenGolVolkswagenOfBrazilvwvw do brasilvw foxvw of brazilVwDoBrasilVwFoxVwOfBrazil Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:45:00 EST <![CDATA[VIDEO: BMW M1 in mule-style camo?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/video-bmw-m1-in-mule-style-camo/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/video-bmw-m1-in-mule-style-camo/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/29/video-bmw-m1-in-mule-style-camo/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Camouflaged BMW M1
BMW M1 in camouflage - Click above to watch the video

For the life of us, we can't figure this. BMWblog has posted a video of what surely looks like an O.G. BMW M1, dressed up in that ubiquitous swirlydelic camouflage du jour and parked on a Munich street. It's either a very clever gag being put on by someone, or something potentially awesome is afoot. Either way, we can dig it. See for yourselves after the jump. Thanks to Mike S. for the tip!

[Source: YouTube via BMWblog]

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW M1 in mule-style camo?

VIDEO: BMW M1 in mule-style camo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bmwbmw m1BmwM1camouflagem1mulemunich Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:48:00 EST <![CDATA[Cars & Coffee: Chevy shocks the crowd, brings Volt]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/28/cars-and-coffee-chevy-shocks-the-crowd-brings-volt/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/28/cars-and-coffee-chevy-shocks-the-crowd-brings-volt/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/28/cars-and-coffee-chevy-shocks-the-crowd-brings-volt/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

2011 Chevy Volt
2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors shocked the crowd at Cars & Coffee this weekend by bringing out the 2011 Chevy Volt. Representatives on hand said this is the same car that will be on display at the LA Auto Show next week. They added that this is a pre-production model with a lot of development miles on it. For all that, it looked pretty good, especially given the wet conditions. We were disappointed that nobody faked an electric shock when touching the car in the damp lot.

Lack of hijinks aside, it seemed most people at the show liked the Volt, although several walked right past it, not realizing what it was. Good or bad, as important as this car is to GM, it looks pretty much like any other midsize sedan. On a day where Suzuki brought out all of their SEMA show cars and Tesla brought down a Roadster and Roadster Sport, the Volt and the Equinox fuel cell vehicle behind it still managed to draw a pretty big crowd. We snapped a few pics for our gallery, which you can check out below. We'll bring you more about the Volt and everything else worth noting at the LA Auto Show next week.


Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt at Cars & Coffee

Cars & Coffee: Chevy shocks the crowd, brings Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2011 chevrolet volt2011 chevy volt prototype2011ChevroletVolt2011ChevyVoltPrototypechevroletChevrolet VoltChevroletVoltchevychevy voltChevyVoltla auto showLA Auto Show 2009LaAutoShowLaAutoShow2009Volt Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:05:00 EST <![CDATA[Papa John's selling recovered Camaro diecast, free pizza and charity involved]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/papa-johns-selling-recovered-camaro-diecast-free-pizza-and-cha/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/papa-johns-selling-recovered-camaro-diecast-free-pizza-and-cha/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/papa-johns-selling-recovered-camaro-diecast-free-pizza-and-cha/#comments Filed under: , , ,



We're suckers for a happy ending - especially when it involves cars, kids, and hot pizza. Recall, if you will, this past summer when John Schnatter, founder of Papa John's Pizza, was on a nationwide quest to find his beloved 1971 1/2 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - a car he sold in the mid-Eighties to fund his first store. John found his car in Kentucky, paid out more than a quarter of a million dollars in finder's fees, and then generously gave free pizzas from its 2,600 nationwide locations to all Camaro owners on August 26th.

Still feeling more than a bit elated with the return of his Z28, and intent on providing hope and inspiration to less fortunate children, Schnatter has now created a nifty little 1:64 scale diecast replica of his car. The metal cars sell for $4.99 apiece and each one comes with a coupon for a free medium cheese pizza ($1 from each car purchased will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation). In addition to selling the cars online, Papa John's is donating 5,000 mini Camaros directly to Toys for Tots. All told, Papa John's is contributing more than $155,000 to the Marine program and touching countless lives in the process. Go ahead and order a couple... we did. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Papa John's]

Continue reading Papa John's selling recovered Camaro diecast, free pizza and charity involved

Papa John's selling recovered Camaro diecast, free pizza and charity involved originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> CamarocarDie-castdiecastgive-awahot wheelHotWheelmarinesmatchboxmetalpapa johnpapa johnspapa johns camaropapa johns pizzapapa johns pizza camaropapa johns z28PapaJohnPapaJohnsPapaJohnsCamaroPapaJohnsPizzaPapaJohnsPizzaCamaroPapaJohnsZ28PizzaToys 4 Totstoys for totsToys4TotsToysForTotsZ28 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:58:00 EST <![CDATA[Which iPhone navigation app should you buy? This'll help]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/which-iphone-navigation-app-should-you-buy-thisll-help/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/which-iphone-navigation-app-should-you-buy-thisll-help/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/which-iphone-navigation-app-should-you-buy-thisll-help/#comments Filed under: ,



The season of hitting the roads to places you don't really want to go, so that you can give gifts you didn't really want to buy and eat food you don't really like has begun. Naturally, a lot more people on the road means a lot more folks getting lost. Fear not, you invincible iPhone-equipped holiday travelers: Appcast has ranked the created a list of navigation apps taking into account 31 different features and metrics.

With all the measuring they've done, they leave the decision of which one is best up to you. But with factors such as coverage area, traffic and speed camera notifications, demo routes, and even text-to-speech (including how the application handles voice instructions when the phone is playing music), you should have plenty of tools to make the best choice for your tastes.

There are seven apps tested, starting at $29.99. One of them could help make your holiday treks that much more manageable -- but they still won't eat fruitcake.

[Source: Appcast]

Which iPhone navigation app should you buy? This'll help originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> appapp storeappcastsAppleappsAppStorenavnavinavigationsatnavtech Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:57:00 EST <![CDATA[Can gasoline fumes cause road rage?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/25/can-gasoline-fumes-cause-road-rage/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/25/can-gasoline-fumes-cause-road-rage/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/25/can-gasoline-fumes-cause-road-rage/#comments Filed under:



Gas prices, as low as they may be, may cause drivers to erupt in bouts of rage, but according to a new study, that's only the half of it.

A researcher at Cairo University exposed rats to unleaded and leaded gasoline vapors and discovered that the rodents forced to huff the fumes were more prone to violence.

After the gasoline treatments, the rats were put into a cage and exhibited a variety of aggressive behavior, including gnashing of teeth and biting. After the study was conducted, the rats were dissected and their brains showed signs of damage from the fumes.

Taken to its extreme, the researcher that conducted the tests, Amal Kinawy, believes that humans who are regularly forced to inhale fumes at the pump may be more prone to road rage. "Heightened aggression may be yet another risk for the human population chronically exposed to urban air polluted by automobile smoke," Kinawy wrote in her report, although a lack of oxygen delivery to the brain can cause similar effects.

[Source: Wired | Image Source: Frederic J. Brown/Getty]

Can gasoline fumes cause road rage? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:18:00 EST <![CDATA[Next in line to get irked by Jeremy Clarkson? The Romanian government [w/VIDEO]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/next-in-line-to-get-irked-by-jeremy-clarkson-the-romanian-gover/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/next-in-line-to-get-irked-by-jeremy-clarkson-the-romanian-gover/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/next-in-line-to-get-irked-by-jeremy-clarkson-the-romanian-gover/#comments Filed under: ,

Top Gear in Romania - click above to watch video

Another day, another country that hates Jeremy Clarkson's guts. Or at least, another country that is seeking an apology from the Top Gear host for his no doubt rude, but no doubter funny comments about said country. In this case, it's the former Iron Curtain nation of Romania. Seems that during the series' season 14 opener, Jezza had some less than flattering observations about the country that shot former "Conductor" Nicolae Ceauşescu and his wife before they could even be tied up and blindfolded.

Clarkson's offending remarks? He referred to Romania as "Borat country." He also donned the silly-looking pork pie hat above and stated, "I'm wearing this hat so the gypsies think I am one. I'm told they can be violent if they don't like the look of you." He also called Romanian water "Communist water" and mentioned that Romanians like to express their sense of humor with guns. Pretty innocuous stuff if you ask us. Especially compared to cracks Clarkson's made about other non-British places. Like Germany, America and Malaysia. Regardless, the Romanian government is apparently expecting an apology. We think they'd have a better chance at satisfaction by issuing a Whamber Alert. In any case, you can see the offending footage in its entirety by clicking through to the jump.

[Sources: Telegraph; YouTube]

Continue reading Next in line to get irked by Jeremy Clarkson? The Romanian government [w/VIDEO]

Next in line to get irked by Jeremy Clarkson? The Romanian government [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> BBCBoratClarksonCommunismJames MayJamesMayJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonRIchard HammondRichardHammondRomaniaTop GearTopGear Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #154]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/autoblog-podcast-154/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/autoblog-podcast-154/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/autoblog-podcast-154/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , ,


Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!


Episode #154 of the Autoblog Podcast is here for your tryptophan-addled pleasure. Chris, Sam, and Dan kick it, starting with the BMW 5 Series, then move on to such appetite supressants as the Lexus GX, Acura ZDX and its pricing, and Infiniti's re-style of the massive QX56 rig. Before we become an emetic, we move on to the pretty new Infiniti M, the ongoing anticipation for a US-bound Chevrolet Spark, and Hyundai's new 2.4 liter direct-injection 4 cylinder for the next Sonata. We hit some questions, and wrap it up in time for pie.

If you're looking to bulk up on podcast excellence over the Thanksgiving holiday, check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget. Let us know what you think by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #154

Autoblog Podcast #154 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> Acuraacura pricingAcura ZDXAcuraPricingAcuraZdxautoblog podcastAutoblogPodcastbmw 5BMW 5 seriesBMW 5-seriesBmw5Bmw5-seriesBmw5Serieschevrolet sparkChevroletSparkfeaturedhyundaihyundai four cylinderhyundai gdihyundai sonatahyundai sonata 2011HyundaiFourCylinderHyundaiGdiHyundaiSonataHyundaiSonata2011infinitiInfiniti MInfiniti M SeriesInfiniti M35Infiniti QXinfiniti qx 56Infiniti QX56InfinitiMInfinitiM35InfinitiMSeriesInfinitiQxInfinitiQx56lexus gxlexus GX 2010Lexus GX 460LExus GX 470LEXUS GX460lexus GX470LexusGxLexusGx2010LexusGx460LexusGx470new bmwNew BMW 5 SeriesNewBmwNewBmw5Seriespodcastsonata four cylinderSonataFourCylinderzdx pricingZdxPricing Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:10:00 EST Autoblog Podcast #154Autoblog1:17:34podcast; autoblog podcast; lexus gx; infiniti; infiniti m; acura; acura zdx; hyundai; hyundai gdi; chevrolet spark; bmw 5 series <![CDATA[Audi RS6 Avant driver reportedly caught going 133 MPH with nearly 2,000 pounds of pot]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/audi-rs6-avant-driver-reportedly-caught-for-going-133-mph-with-n/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/audi-rs6-avant-driver-reportedly-caught-for-going-133-mph-with-n/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/audi-rs6-avant-driver-reportedly-caught-for-going-133-mph-with-n/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Audi RS6 Avant - Click above to for high-res image gallery

If you read publications about cars long enough, you'll no doubt catch on to our pro-wagon bias. In fact, if us auto-journo types ran things, SUVs, CUVs and sedans would be banned, and all passenger cars would either be mid-engined, 500 horsepower coupes or 600 hp wagons. With manuals and roll up windows. No, really. This is the type of thinking required to join our vaunted profession. However, one of the many reasons we want mega-burly wagons isn't to haul one ton of dope around.

Seems that a twin-turbo, Lambo-V10 engined Audi RS6 Avant (good for at least 580 hp) was busted outside of Seville, Spain for not only going 133 mph, but for carrying 2,000 pounds of pot. Twenty-seven bundles of hashish to be specific. Value? €120,000, or about $180,000 USD. That's a lot of grass, man. And probably about one thousand pounds more than a RS6 sedan could have carried. Er... umm... we mean.... "Bad RS6 Avant, bad!"


Gallery: 2008 Audi RS6 Avant


[Source: Motor Pasion]

Audi RS6 Avant driver reportedly caught going 133 MPH with nearly 2,000 pounds of pot originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> AudiAudi RS6Audi RS6 AvantAudi RS6 WagonAudiRs6AudiRs6AvantAudiRs6WagonAvantRS6RS6 AvantRS6 WagonRs6AvantRs6Wagon Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:56:00 EST <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> announces 2010 10Best Cars]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/image-car-and-driver-announces-2010-10best-cars/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/image-car-and-driver-announces-2010-10best-cars/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/image-car-and-driver-announces-2010-10best-cars/#comments Filed under: ,

Our pals over at Car and Driver, now helmed by our esteemable buddy Eddie Alterman, just released their 2010 10Best Cars. Quite an undertaking. As they put it, "58 contenders. $2.5 million total. 12,000 test miles logged." For those keeping track, this is the 28th time C/D has published their 10Best. Surprises this year? No not really. The BMW 3 Series continues its unabated drive of dominance to 10Best history with an impressive, will-probably-never-be-duplicated 19th straight win. Not to be too outdone, the Honda Accord also makes the cut for a 24th time, though not consecutive.

Also note that while the Audi S4 makes the grade, the run-of-the-mill (so to speak) A4 does not. We're also pleased to see the Ford Fusion Hybrid getting its just dues (again, it's interesting that the gas-only version doesn't). And of course, you've got your yearly appearance by the Mazda Miata MX-5, Porsche Boxster / Cayman and Volkswagen GTI. Falling off the list this year? The Chevrolet Corvette, Infiniti G37, and the Jaguar XF.

Would we have done things much differently? Probably not much, though we must admit we were pulling for the highly impressive Suzuki Kizashi to make its debut and we're a bit surprised to not see one of the new crop of pony cars on the list. Maybe next year. Alphabetical list of winners after the jump.

[Source: Car and Driver | Image Source: R.S. Owens]

Continue reading Car and Driver announces 2010 10Best Cars

Car and Driver announces 2010 10Best Cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 10 Best10 best cars10Best10best cars10BestCars2010 Audi S42010 BMW 3 Series2010 Cadillac CTS2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid2010 Honda Accord2010 Honda Fit2010 Mazda Miata MX-52010 Mazda32010 Porsche Boxster2010 Volkswagen GTI2010AudiS42010Bmw3Series2010CadillacCts2010FordFusionHybrid2010HondaAccord2010HondaFit2010Mazda32010MazdaMiataMx-52010PorscheBoxster2010VolkswagenGtiBMW M3BmwM3Car DriverCar Driver 10BestCarDriverCarDriver10bestCaymanCDCTS-VFord FusionFordFusionMazdaSpeed3Ten Best CarsTenBestCars Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:29:00 EST <![CDATA[Strategic Vision announces 2009 Total Value Awards]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/strategic-vision-announces-2009-total-value-awards/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/strategic-vision-announces-2009-total-value-awards/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/strategic-vision-announces-2009-total-value-awards/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Toyota bumped, VW and Ford lead

The 2009 Total Value Awards have been announced, and what do you know, it's more good news for Ford. First, a primer: the "the Total Value Index[TM]" (TVI) took into account more than 48,000 buyers of 2009 models from September, 2008 to March, 2009. Assumptions made by owners of the car - expected reliability, fuel economy, price, etc - are then weighed against "the variables that make up the ownership experience," and voila, you have the TVI.

In last year's awards, Toyota took the top spot in seven of 23 categories, and three more if you count Lexus. The next best efforts were Honda and Chevrolet, each with three. Ford had none.

This year, Toyota and Lexus didn't win a single category. The Yaris hatch was bumped by the Ford Focus Coupe, the Prius was bumped by the Volkswagen Jetta and Passat sedans. The Toyota Solara convertible was ousted by the Ford Mustang convertible, and the Toyota Sequoia was beat by the Ford Expedition.

In all, Ford put four of its lineup in the winner's circle, with the F-250 and -350 bumping the GMC Sierra. VW had five in the top slots, making both Ford and VW the two best makers in the survey, with Honda again pulling up third with three. It's another bit of welcome press for Ford and VW. Now if Ford could just get those pesky labor contracts settled...

[Source: Strategic Vision]

Continue reading Strategic Vision announces 2009 Total Value Awards

Strategic Vision announces 2009 Total Value Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> awardsStrategic VisionStrategicVisionTotal Value AwardsTotalValueAwards Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST