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Ralliart announces it is closing its doors... so what does that mean for Mitsubishi? Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Mitsubishi 
In a letter issued to its customers, Ralliart, a Japanese high-performance subsidiary of Mitsubishi, has announced that it is closing its doors. The company's business case has apparently faded, a victim of the wilting domestic aftermarket scene as well as its lack of continued motorsports involvement.
Naturally, we wondered if and how the closure of the company responsible for its high-performance parts and related merchandise would impact the development, production and marketing of Mitsubishi vehicles sold here in the States - more specifically, the Lancer Ralliart and Sportback Ralliart models. To answer that question, we spoke with Mitsu spokesman Maurice Durand, and he informs us that the closure of Ralliart will not, in fact, have any affect on the availability or continued marketing of these models (or any future branded offerings), as Mitsubishi owns the rights to the name, logo, and so on. Furthermore, all licensing agreements in foreign countries remain intact.
So, while you may not be able to get a genuine JDM Ralliart strut-tower brace or shift knob, you can breath easy that the SportBack that you've been saving your lunch money for will still be at your local dealer by the time you've got enough scratch. Official press release after the jump.Continue reading Ralliart announces it is closing its doors... so what does that mean for Mitsubishi? Ralliart announces it is closing its doors... so what does that mean for Mitsubishi? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Next-gen Dodge Charger interior gets outed Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Dodge 
Next-gen Dodge Charger spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
There've been no shortage of spy shots to be had showing the upcoming next-gen Dodge Charger, but to date we've yet to see the interior fully revealed. Our spy photogs have remedied this by finally capturing the big rear-wheel-drive sedan's inner domicile. What's plainly obvious is that Dodge designers have added some swoop to the Charger's angular interior. Note the silvery dashboard piece that acts as a backdrop for the cluster gauge, driver and center air vents and the rather large navigation screen. This particular interior is two-tone with what appears to be light-colored leather seats and door inserts, with black plastic (soft touch, we're hoping) everywhere else and some nickel-colored trim thrown in. There's also a new three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and information display between the tach and speedo.
All in all, we see a big improvement over the current car's aged interior, but a final verdict will have to wait until we can get our grubby paws all over it. We've also got some new spy shots of the exterior that don't reveal much more than what we've seen before except a naked C-pillar. Have a look in the high-res gallery below.
Spy Shots: Next-gen Dodge Charger interior gets outed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Carl Edwards gets three-race probation for intentional wreck Filed under: Motorsports 
NASCAR handed down its ruling yesterday on Carl Edwards' retaliatory wreck of Brad Keselowski during the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway last Sunday. The Roush Fenway Racing team driver will be subjected to a three-race probation that covers the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 21, the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 28 and the Subway Fresh Fit 600 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 10.
What does probation mean for Edwards? Not a whole hell of a lot. The best description we could find of this peculiar punishment was "little more than monitoring actions." That is to say, unlike a suspension, Edwards will race the next three Sprint Cup races. The fact that Edwards won't face much consequence for his actions last Sunday is in keeping with what NASCAR officials said in January about putting more responsibility in the hands of the driver. That said, NASCAR president Mike Helton remarked that, "... there is a line you can cross. When you cross that line in our opinion, we're going to get involved with you."
In addition to the probation, NASCAR plans on getting Edwards and Keselowski in a room together along with team owners Jack Roush and Roger Penske to iron out this feud. We don't know about you, but that sounds close enough to the plot of Days of Thunder that an epic rental car race on the beach is almost certain to occur on the way to dinner afterwards.
[Source: NASCAR, The New York Times | Image: Geoff Burke/Getty]Carl Edwards gets three-race probation for intentional wreck originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Source: Next-gen Ford Police Interceptor will debut this Friday in Las Vegas Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Government/Legal, Work, Ford, Specialty 
Hold on to your sap gloves and night sticks - it's that time of the decade! An Autoblog source reveals that Ford is about to release a brand spankin' new Police Interceptor. Not only is this humongous news for our pals in the law enforcement community, but this is 120-point headline font for taxi companies around the country, as they typically buy old Police Interceptors with 90,000 miles on 'em and repurpose them as the cabs we all know and love passing out in. Why? Because Police Interceptors are the toughest passenger cars money can buy.
Few of us have the need to drive over curbs at 50+ mph, but if that need arises, you're going to want to do so in an Interceptor. Aside from the "severe duty" shocks, you get a beefed up frame and body mounts. Yes, that is correct. The Crown Victoria-based Police Interceptor is body-on-frame. Listen, when you're PIT maneuvering a perp during a high speed chase, the last thing you want to worry about is bending the chassis. Plus you got them heavy duty brakes, suspension components and oil coolers. A sweet package, no doubt.
Here's the thing though. If this new Police Interceptor is more than a package, what platform will it ride on? Ford has stated publicly that it's ending the geriatric Panther Platform Crown Victoria's life in 2011. We'll go ahead and interpret that to mean that this new Police Interceptor won't be Crown Victoria-based. Do we know that for sure? No, but it's a logical bit of speculation. Could the new Interceptor be Taurus-based, maybe something with a SHO motor and stouter brakes? Again, yes, but for all we know the upcoming car's a Fiesta with the Mustang GT's new 5.0-liter V8 crammed in the rear seat. Or one of them apocryphal Australia-only rear-drive Falcons. All we know for sure is that Ford's introducing a new Police Interceptor to a select group of folks in Las Vegas this Friday. Production? Concept? We're not entirely sure yet. More details when we get them.
[Image: davidsonscott15 | CC2.0]Source: Next-gen Ford Police Interceptor will debut this Friday in Las Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
NTEA 2010: Nissan pulls the covers off NV commercial van Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows 
2011 Nissan NV2500 HD - Click above for high-res image gallery
We're here in St. Louis attending the National Truck Equipment Association show, and we just watched Nissan officially pull the covers off its NV commercial van for the first time in front of a live audience. Our initial impression: They aren't kidding when they say there's an optional High Roof... at 105.5 inches (76.5 of which is usable inside), we have to wonder whether that sucker will fit inside your run-of-the-mill suburban garage.
Of course, that High Roof is optional, and the space it affords inside will allow most 80-percentile human beings to stand straight up for cargo loading purposes - up to 300 cubic feet of it. For those who don't need such a cavernous cargo area, the standard height measures 83.9 inches from the ground, and 55.4 of those inches are ready for stowage inside.
We were able to grab some live photos from the show floor, but sadly Nissan isn't quite ready to let us inside to see the interior details. In any case, check out our high-res gallery below and click here for the rest of the details.
NTEA 2010: Nissan pulls the covers off NV commercial van originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Noblesse takes tuned Honda CR-Z to Suzuka for testing [w/video] Filed under: Aftermarket, Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Japan, Videos, Hatchback, Honda 
Noblesse-tuned Honda CR-Z on-track - Click above to watch video after the jump
A couple of days ago, we wrote about the specs for the 2011 Honda CR-Z, and most commenters weren't all that impressed. Spoon then let a little bit slip about what it was doing to make the hybrid coupe a little more engaging, but those were merely words. Now we have what is said to be track footage of Japanese tuner Noblesse in one of their tuned CR-Zs at Suzuka, and it might put people in a mind to at least reserve judgment.
It's all in-car video, and yes, Noblesse is primarily known for their bodykit work, not for actual performance parts. All which makes this footage a little tough to gauge, but there were moments when we did find ourselves thinking, "Hey, this could be something." And yes, we will only accept fully blacked-out CR-Zs from now on. Follow the jump for some Suzuka lapping, and have a look at it in the gallery of high-res photos below. Thanks for the tip and images, Chris!
[Source: Six Sylinder]Continue reading Spy Shots: Noblesse takes tuned Honda CR-Z to Suzuka for testing [w/video] Spy Shots: Noblesse takes tuned Honda CR-Z to Suzuka for testing [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet a smooth Spanish Fly(er) Filed under: Convertible, Mercedes-Benz, First Drive, Luxury 
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet - Click above for high-res image gallery
Convertibles have long been something of an acquired taste. Devotees steadfastly defend the unique sensation of elemental motoring that can only come when plugged in to one's surrounding breezes, noises and smells. Conversely, detractors have traditionally lambasted droptops for their lackluster foul weather performance, added weight, vulnerability, and creaky, ill-handling platforms. And while the naysayers may have had a point in the era of tonneau-covered British roadster pilots with their tepid heaters, dubious structural rigidity and leaky, masochistic roof mechanisms, modern topless numbers like this 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet give lie to the idea that convertibles make lousy year-round companions.
Follow the jump to find out why.
Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet a smooth Spanish Fly(er) First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet a smooth Spanish Fly(er) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Porsche really, really wants to build 918 Spyder. Really. Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche 
Porsche 918 Spyder Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
We still haven't stopped drooling over the Porsche 918 Spyder concept, a car that debuted at this year's Geneva Motor Show. It's a sexy infusion of both Boxster and Carrera GT influences, with a dash of hybrid power thrown in for good measure. What's not to love about a 500-horsepower, V8-powered roadster that can hit 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds? Oh, and did we mention that, because of its additional electric motors, Porsche claims that the 918 can also achieve up to 78 miles per gallon? We highly approve.
According to Autocar, we aren't the only ones swooning over the 918. In fact, Porsche is apparently fully committed to building a serial version of the Spyder. No official confirmation has been made, but in speaking to Autocar, Porsche boss Michael Macht says, "There is no one inside Porsche who doesn't want to build the 918," later adding, "The 918 Spyder proves the answer to whether there can be high-performance cars in the future." If this concept does get the green light for production, we could likely see it hit the streets within the next five years. We'll do our best to remain patient.
[Source: Autocar]Report: Porsche really, really wants to build 918 Spyder. Really. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Nissan unveils NV commercial van, available in three different flavors Filed under: Truck, Work, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows 
Nissan NV commercial vans - Click above for high-res image gallery
Historically, America's commercial vehicle marketplace has been dominated by domestic automakers. Besides a small percentage of Sprinter sales from Dodge while under Daimler ownership, the fullsize van market has really only been occupied by Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. Nissan is ready to change all that, and its opening salvo in the commercial vehicle marketplace is its NV series of vans.
Nissan's NV series - "NV" rather unimaginatively stands for Nissan Van, for what it's worth - relies on three different designations, NV1500, 2500 HD and 3500 HD, and two different roof heights (the High Roof is only available on the NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD models) to provide a platform for every conceivable need. Opting for the tall version will provide enough room for most people to stand up inside with no need to duck.
Interestingly, Nissan's research indicates that commercial van owners are the least satisfied of any vehicle segment, and as such, the automaker says that the NV design is that of an armored car a 'clean-sheet' approach resulting from one of the most researched projects Nissan has ever undertaken. That research has yielded a vehicle that utilizes a fully boxed steel ladder frame and rear-wheel drive with either a 4.0-liter V6 or an optional 5.6-liter V8. Both engines are mated to a standard five-speed automatic transmission.
No matter which engine or roof style is chosen, the NV will come with a user-definable interior layout that can accept standard-size drywall or plywood or any number of aftermarket cargo solutions. Up front, there are a number of storage pockets and compartments to hold whatever is needed, while High Roof models offer an overhead console for additional storage options.
Pricing is not yet available, but Nissan promises the NV series will hit authorized commercial U.S. dealerships before the end of the year. Want to know more? Be sure to check out our gallery of high-res images below and click past the break for the official press release.
[Source: Nissan]Continue reading Nissan unveils NV commercial van, available in three different flavors Nissan unveils NV commercial van, available in three different flavors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
eBay Find of the Day: 1996 DeTomaso Guarą is a rare treat Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions 
1996 DeTomaso Guarà - Click above for high-res image gallery
The DeTomaso Guarà was the last project of company founder and namesake, Alejandro de Tomaso. First shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1993, the Guarà could be had as a closed-roof coupe or open-top barchetta. A more practical canvas-roof Spider was eventually added as well, but only five were ever made. The Guarà was based on the 1991 Maserati Barchetta Stradale concept and was built from 1993 through 2004, when the struggling Italian automaker went into liquidation.
During its production run, 10 to 12 Barchettas and about 50 Coupés were built, along with the handful of Spiders. The early cars, including all of the Spiders, were powered by a BMW 4.0-liter V8 putting out a modest 272 horsepower. Later cars, and all, um, two of the cars that have somehow found their way into America are powered by a 320-hp version of the Ford 4.6-liter V8 from the Mustang Cobra. The Guarà was made of fiberglass, Kevlar and other composites on an aluminum backbone, making it fairly light. Performance was decent with a 0-60 dash of about five seconds flat and a top speed quoted between 168 and 171 miles per hour for this 2,500-pound mid-engined sportscar.
The car's racecar-like pushrod suspension made it a bit of a handful to drive on city streets, but its handling limits were pretty high by all accounts. This particular car is in Woodland Hills, California, and is painted a perfect Modenese yellow. It has just 10,000 miles on the clock and is being offered at the princely sum of $100,000. That might seem like a lot of coin for a fairly anonymous exotic with a Mustang engine, but considering its rarity and its association with the name DeTomaso, it could be a fun addition to someone's collection. Are you listening Jay?
[Source: eBay Motors]
eBay Find of the Day: 1996 DeTomaso Guarą is a rare treat originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Toyota Tundra frame rust recall to go nationwide Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Toyota 
Last November, the Toyota Tundra recall to address premature rusting frames was expanded to include trucks from the 2000-2003 model years. That recall, though, only applied to 20 states and Washington, D.C. - those areas where cold weather and road treatments could cause expedited corrosion.
Today, however, The Associated Press reports that the recall has been further expanded to include Tundras from those model years in all 50 states. Toyota apparently hasn't said how many trucks that means it is recalling, but if you have one of those Tundras, you might wish to give your dealer a call.
[Source: The Associated Press via Google]Report: Toyota Tundra frame rust recall to go nationwide originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Cash for Clunkers more than twice as effective as first thought? Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal 
In what might turn out to be one of the biggest games of "he said, she said," in the history of the world, Maritz Research, an automotive market research company, is claiming that the government's Cash for Clunkers program actually boosted auto sales by much more than previously thought. Maritz is crediting the program with 765,000 new vehicle sales, higher than the 677,000 claimed by the government, and much, much higher than the 125,000 sales that Edmunds.com famously quoted. In fact, it's more than double the Department of Transportation's own estimate of 346,000 sales.
Maritz surveyed 36,000 new car and truck buyers who bought their vehicles during the time Cash for Clunkers was in effect, between July and August of 2009. The company figures a full 542,000 sales came from people who hadn't planned on buying a car otherwise, spurred by the government program. Maritz also includes 223,000 people who came to dealerships after hearing of the program, and even after they discovered that they didn't qualify, bought anyway.
Perhaps even more interesting were the findings on how the program affected future sales. It was believed by many that Cash for Clunkers might have just sped up sales in the short term, advancing sales that would have naturally occurred in future months or years. "The results provide strong empirical evidence that CARS did not impede future sales," said Maritz vice-president David Fish, "Vehicles were sold to people who don't normally buy them."
According to Maritz's findings, Cash for Clunkers buyers tended to be long-term car owners. Maritz says that nearly 80 percent of trade-ins had more than 100,000 miles on them and that 50 percent were more than 10 years old. Better than 60 percent of buyers told the pollsters that they plan on keeping their new cars as long as possible, meaning that many of the people who took advantage of the program came from non-regular customer pools.
The Maritz report could be used to support additional incentive programs like Cash for Clunkers in the future, but there are already detractors. For its part, Edmunds.com is already saying that there is a big difference between the analysis of sales figures it performed in its own study and Maritz's conducting of a survey that could contain flawed or leading questions. The issue is certainly not settled yet.
[Source: CNN Money | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]Cash for Clunkers more than twice as effective as first thought? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Another Prius accelerates unintentionally in New York and crashes Filed under: Hybrid, Recalls, Hatchback, Toyota 
Not one day after a high-profile incident involving a Prius taking off on its owner in Southern California, we're hearing reports that another one of Toyota's popular hybrids has suffered unintended acceleration in New York. This time, instead of the car eventually succumbing to the will of its braking system, it crashed into a stone wall. Fortunately the owner was reportedly just pulling out of her driveway in Harrison, NY and the car only accelerated across the street, though the collision allegedly sent "some pretty big boulders" flying, said one police chief.
The 56-year-old driver reportedly suffered non-life threatening injuries, and like the incident in Southern California a day earlier, a floor mat trapping the accelerator pedal has been ruled out as a cause. The 2005 model year Prius' driver side floor mat was reportedly tied to the seat base with plastic ties.
The 2004-2009 Prius is included in an earlier Toyota recall for floor mats that may entrap the accelerator pedal, but the Japanese automaker does not have a fix ready for the cars, which may include reshaping their pedals, replacing floor mats and altering the shape of the floor. These cars are not, however, included in Toyota's other major recall involving drive-by-wire accelerator pedal assemblies that could stick due to wear and other environmental conditions. That leaves no obvious explanation as to why these two Prius models took off on their owners. Toyota has stated it will join California and the U.S. government in investigating the first vehicle, though hasn't commented on whether it will investigate the vehicle in New York yet.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press]Report: Another Prius accelerates unintentionally in New York and crashes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Infiniti celebrates 20 years with limited edition Gs Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Infiniti 
20th Anniversary Edition 2010 Infiniti G37 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Has it really been 20 years? As a matter of fact, yes. Infiniti has been selling its upmarket wares in the U.S. for two decades and to commemorate the occasion its releasing three special edition G37 coupes, sedans and convertibles.
Limited to 200 variants of each model, Infiniti has outfitted the 20th Anniversary Editions with Monaco Red interior, maple trim and a sexy Graphite Shadow exterior, along with Premium and Navigation packages. Included in the kit are heated and cooled seats, summer rubber, a blacked-out grille, new side sills and revised fascias, with a standard rear spoiler on the coupe and sedan.
Pricing and availability is yours for the taking after the jump and sales are set to begin towards the middle of next month.
Continue reading Infiniti celebrates 20 years with limited edition Gs Infiniti celebrates 20 years with limited edition Gs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, GMC, Diesel 
2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery
Not even a month ago, at the end of our post on the 2011 Ford Super Duty engine specs, we wrote: "General Motors, there's a big ass ball in your court." Someone at GM has apparently grabbed their big ass racket and said, "Oh, I got this...", then smacked the ball right back into play. The Ford's measurements 390 horsepower, 735 pound-feet of grunt. The General has just announced that its 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel has 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft. of torque, a jump of 32 horsepower and 105 lb-ft. over the previous Duramax.
A closer look at the numbers does reveal some give-and-take, however. The Ford's maximum tow rating is 21,600 pounds, while GM's is 20,000 pounds. And while not exactly engine related, the Ford truck also has a higher max payload than the GM twins. Still, the RenCen pickups take the power crown, and the new Duramax is more efficient than the previous one - GM didn't put a specific mileage number to it, but claims 680 miles of highway going possible from the 36-gallon tank. You'll find GM's press release on the new engine after the jump.
In related news, GM has released the first image of its GMC Sierra Denali HD pickup, mechanical and sheetmetal twin of the Chevrolet Silverado HD. There's an additional press release after the jump for it as well.
So... anyone else want to take a swing at that even bigger ass ball?
[Source: General Motors via PickupTrucks.com]Continue reading GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Memory Jog - Revisiting the Mercury Tracer Filed under: Classics, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mercury 
"It's peppy," the salesman said as an enticement to buy... It's not that the Mazda 323/Ford Laser-based first-generation Tracer was a bad car, but the Escort apparently called stronger for our own hard-earned dollar, so we drove home in a brand new 1989 wagon. Ford apparently figured this out with the second-generation Tracer, which was joined with the Escort as part of a comprehensive redesign in the early 1990s.
Must have been a step in the right direction - that car managed to make it onto Car & Driver's 10Best list. A preponderance of Tracers seem to have been painted metallic teal, one of the hottest colors of the time, but even in its second iteration the Tracer was nothing more than someone else's hardware with a badge/grille job.
Out of all the shelved model names it could choose from, Mercury is apparently going to dust off the Tracer name for an interplanetary version of the new Focus. Since the next-gen Focus appears to be so good, the new Tracer ought to follow suit, but why not take this opportunity to remember a time when power mirrors and a tachometer were "features?" On to the videos, then, after the jump.Continue reading Video: Memory Jog - Revisiting the Mercury Tracer Video: Memory Jog - Revisiting the Mercury Tracer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
AutoblogGreen for 03.10.10 
AutoblogGreen for 03.10.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon slots in right below ZR1 Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet 
2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon - Click above for high-res image gallery
For the truly hard-core Corvette fanatic who likes to spend weekends thrashing his or her car at the track, there is only one Corvette worthy of consideration: the Z06. However, thanks to the ZR1, the lightweight, normally aspirated 7.0-liter coupe is no longer the absolute quickest Vette, but it is felt to have the most responsive handling. What it doesn't have is the uber-cool carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon-fiber body panels and magnetic ride active damping system of its supercharged sibling. That can now be changed to past tense with the birth of the Z06 Carbon edition announced today by General Motors.
The Z06 Carbon was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first appearance of the Corvette at the 24 Hours of Le Mans when John Fitch and Briggs Cunningham won their class and finished eighth overall. The Carbon edition is essentially a Z06 with a ZR1 chassis and some of the carbon skin. When production starts this fall, only 500 examples will be made and they will only come in two colors, Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue. All examples get black-painted wheels and a black interior upholstered in leather and suede. Follow the jump and we'll tell you more.
[Source: Chevrolet]Continue reading 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon slots in right below ZR1 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon slots in right below ZR1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Icon's ultimate 4x4s from another perspective Filed under: SUV, Videos, Off-Road 
StreetFire checks out the Icon FJ 4x4 - Click above to view the video after the jump
The vintage FJ Landcruiser tuners at Icon turn out highly detailed 4x4s with custom-designed suspensions comprised of top-shelf parts, powdercoated exteriors and German military convertible tops. We've sampled the firm's wares before and those details turn Icon vehicles into impressive - if spendy - SUVs: $79,000 gets you a look at the bottom of the barrel, more than $100,000 is needed for a taste of the cream. Are they worth it? StreetFire takes a look at three Icons, and along with our own Jonny Liberman and PickupTrucks.com's Mike Levine, renders the muddy verdict. Follow the jump for all the action.
[Source: StreetFire]Continue reading Video: Icon's ultimate 4x4s from another perspective Video: Icon's ultimate 4x4s from another perspective originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Toyota dealer group peeved over tax dollar use for GM incentives targeted at Toyota owners Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, GM, Toyota 
Recently, General Motors has been offering special buying incentives specifically tailored to steer people away from Toyota and Lexus dealerships, and even get current Toyota owners out of their cars. And while most people look at this as just a clever marketing technique to promote other automakers in the wake of Toyota's recall wound, a group of dealers are none too happy about the marketing campaign. What's more, because the U.S. government currently owns a 60 percent stake in GM, Toyota dealers have made accusations that American taxpayer dollars are being used to fund these incentives.
The Toyota National Dealer Council, which represents approximately 1,250 Toyota dealers across the United States, claims that using taxpayer dollars for this purpose is "reckless, unfair and detrimental to the entire auto industry." And while we believe it's a potentially rational argument for the TNDC to make, we must remember that no specific evidence has been presented to completely prove their point. GM may be mostly owned by the U.S. government, but it's still an autonomous company, and no one can say for sure if its marketing decisions are, in any way, influenced by the officials in Washington, D.C. Hit the jump to read the entire TNDC press release.
[Source: Toyota National Dealer Council | Image: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images]Continue reading Toyota dealer group peeved over tax dollar use for GM incentives targeted at Toyota owners Toyota dealer group peeved over tax dollar use for GM incentives targeted at Toyota owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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