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Chicago: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT delivers lightness, functionality Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Hatchback, Hyundai 
After driving the 2013 Elantra GT out on stage here in Chicago, Hyundai executives immediately focused on one of its new five-door's core values: lightness. You see, the GT is the lightest C-segment hatchback in the United States, weighing 151 pounds less than a Mazda3, 175 pounds less than a Ford Focus and 222 pounds less than the fatty-fat-fat Volkswagen Golf. Even so, the Elantra GT has the most capacious interior in its class.
Power comes from the Elantra sedan's 1.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-four, meaning 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque are on tap, and can be paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Fuel economy is only slightly worse than the 40-mile-per-gallon Elantra sedan, with the GT expected to get as high as 39 mpg on the highway. The full details are available in Hyundai's release below the fold.Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT delivers lightness, functionality 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT delivers lightness, functionality originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Watch Ken Gushi narrowly avoid a deer in a Scion FR-S Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Videos, Scion 
Drifting champ and Scion spokesdriver Ken Gushi narrowly missed a deer while shooting a spot for the Scion FR-S, and the helicopter camera crew caught the entire ordeal in glorious high-def.
Gushi and crew were filming at Mt. Diablo State Park in Northern California when the close encounter took place, and by close, we're not talking feet, we're talking inches.
Always the marketing pro, Gushi went on to commend the Scion's steering and brakes for helping avoid disaster. Check out the video and Gushi's response after the jump.
Continue reading Watch Ken Gushi narrowly avoid a deer in a Scion FR-S Watch Ken Gushi narrowly avoid a deer in a Scion FR-S originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chicago: 2013 Beetle TDI debuts as Volkswagen's sportiest diesel Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Coupe, Volkswagen, Diesel 
Volkswagen unveiled an oil-burning variant of its new, but not New, Beetle at the Chicago Auto Show today and under the hood is the automaker's familiar turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel engine sending power to the front wheels.
Despite developing just 140 horsepower, its torque rating of 236 pound-feet will help the latest Bug really scoot - the automaker says this is the sportiest application of its TDI powerplant, and consumers will be offered a choice between a traditional six-speed manual or VW's six-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission. According to Volkswagen, the Beetle TDI should earn 29 mpg city and 39 mpg highway.
Differentiating itself from the Beetle 2.5 and Turbo, the TDI arrives with unique 17-inch alloy wheels, additional exterior chrome and special badging. Inside, you'll find a supplemental instrument pod with a turbo boost gauge, oil temperature gauge and a stopwatch.
When it arrives in showrooms this summer as a 2013 model, there will be three different trim lines: TDI, TDI with Sunroof and TDI with Sunroof, Sound, and Navigation. Pricing has yet to be announced, but you can hit the jump for the full details.Continue reading 2013 Beetle TDI debuts as Volkswagen's sportiest diesel 2013 Beetle TDI debuts as Volkswagen's sportiest diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chicago: Kia Track'ster concept is a self-contained 250-hp AWD track star Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Hatchback, Kia 
It's not like we needed any more reason to like the Soul, but Kia went ahead and debuted the Track'ster concept at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show anyway. The Track'ster is a three-door, all-wheel-drive, 250-hp version of the cute and quirky urban Soul that we hope gets green lights all along its road to production. That's wishful thinking, but follow along to find out why we want the Track'ster made so badly.
The Track'ster eschews a back seat in favor of a "fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tire well."
To date, the Soul has been anything but a performance machine. The Track'ster changes that in a big way by eschewing not only a pair of doors, but also the back seat in favor of what Kia describes as a "fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tire well." This tray is designed to house helmets, race suits, gloves, tools and all the accoutrement that goes with being a serious track rat.
The idea for the Track'ster is to run what your brung, so while the car itself carries everything you need to race, it also needs to move with enough hustle that you're not embarrassed behind the wheel. To that end, Kia has fitted the concept with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower that gets dissected by a six-speed short throw manual transmission and further divided among all four 19-inch wheels by an all-wheel-drive system.
Despite the lack of rear doors, the Track'ster sports a wheelbase nearly an inch longer than the Soul and a 75.5-inch rear track that stretches nearly five inches wider. Likewise, its braking system is also extra strength with 14-inch Brembos clamped by six-piston calipers up front and 13.6-inch discs with four-piston calipers in back. Of course, the interior has also been done up for concept duty, but not so much that it's outside the realm of possibility.
The Track'ster is one of those concepts that occupies a space just near enough reality that we believe it, or something like it, could be be produced if the proletariat buying regular old Souls screamed loudly enough. Let us just say, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!Continue reading Kia Track'ster concept is a self-contained 250-hp AWD track star Kia Track'ster concept is a self-contained 250-hp AWD track star originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chicago: 2013 Nissan 370Z has been defanged Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Nissan 
By defanged, we mean, of course, that the 2013 Nissan 370Z no longer sports vampish extensions of its front fascia. We don't mean to imply that its down on power - the carryover 3.7-liter V6 still puts out 332 horsepower, and the NISMO's 3.7-liter is still blessed with 350 horses.
Besides the change to its face, it'll take an astute observer to spot the differences between the 2012 and 2013 Z. Subtle changes to the lighting both front and rear, combined with new 18- and 19-inch wheels, round out the exterior updates.
See the 2013 Nissan 370Z live from the 2012 Chicago Auto Show in our high-res image gallery above, and feel free to peruse the press release after the break.Continue reading 2013 Nissan 370Z has been defanged 2013 Nissan 370Z has been defanged originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chicago: 2013 GMC Acadia shows up with slightly new look Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Crossover, GM, GMC 
General Motors has lifted the veil on its refreshed 2013 GMC Acadia at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Designers gave the big crossover a slight redo with a new front valance, headlight details and new interior materials.
Up front, the 2013 Acadia boasts a new grille set into a more vertical nose (reminiscent of the Granite, anyone?), and buyers can now look forward to more attractive diffused LED daytime running lights on both projector and HID headlight-equipped models. At the back, the Acadia now wears wrap-around glass and a redesigned spoiler. GM has also thrown in a few more wheel design options in both 18- and 19-inch sizes.
Inside, the new Acadia offers upgraded materials, including details like French stitching and red ambient lighting. High-zoot models will boast aluminum trim work, as well.
More importantly, the 2013 Acadia will come with what GM calls the industry's first center air bag. The system is designed to protect drivers and front passengers in accidents where the impact is on the opposite side of the vehicle. The bag inflates from the right side of the driver's seat and stabilizes occupants during the crash. Follow the jump for the full press release.Continue reading 2013 GMC Acadia shows up with slightly new look 2013 GMC Acadia shows up with slightly new look originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Jaguar gears up to produce small run of turbine-powered C-X75 supercars Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Jaguar 
Jaguar has a bit of a tricky history with supercars. The only previous example it actually built was the XJ220, which remains an impressive specimen even 20 years later, even though it never quite lived up to what the original concept car promised those who put down their deposits. Then in 2010 the British automaker unveiled the C-X75 and our hearts stopped.
The show car packed an intriguing twin-turbine powerplant into an alluring svelte shape, which only begged the question: would Jaguar build it, and if so, would it incorporate such an experimental propulsion system?
We had what we thought was the full answer last year when Jaguar announced that it would indeed produce the C-X75, but that the turbines wouldn't make it to the road, replaced instead by a hybrid drivetrain including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Disappointing, sure, but a little less so considering that the Williams F1 team would help develop the powertrain.
Now it seems that, while the hybrid turbo four will power most of the 250 examples of the C-X75 earmarked for production, a limited quantity will actually include micro-turbines as envisioned in the concept car. The jet engines (which will drive the rear wheels, so don't go expecting flames shooting out the back, Batmobile style) are reportedly being produced by the Bladon Jets Engineering Centre in Coventry - a company based near Jaguar's headquarters and partially owned by Jaguar's parent company Tata.
Although the turbines are only expected to produce 95 horsepower each (they are just a bit smaller than the ones you might find in a jet airplane), they need none of the cooling or lubrication systems required by traditional internal-combustion engines, leaving them lighter and easier to package - and making plenty of room for additional electric power to help the turbine-hybrid C-X75 hit 60 in just three seconds while returning exceptional fuel economy and emissions figures.
It'll be a few years still before this super-cat hits the road, but when it does, we're looking at something that will re-write the rule book even more than the XJ220 that came before.Jaguar gears up to produce small run of turbine-powered C-X75 supercars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: 2012 Porsche 911 hits U.S. dealerships Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Luxury 
The 2012 Porsche 911 has been soaking up its share of plaudits, now its ready to soak up its share of your bank account. The "longer, lower, wider, 100-pounds lighter, faster" 911 has finally reached dealerships in its two initial guises: 350-horsepower Carrera and 400-horsepower Carrera S.
The entry model will need $82,100 of your hard earned cash, which is a $4,300 premium over the 2011 Carrera MSRP. It takes another $14,300 to affix an S to the rear end. Those prices don't include the $950 destination charge, but you wouldn't let such a tifle stand between you and history anyway, right? You'll find a press release with a few more details after the jump, then we can all turn our attention to the 911 Turbo.Continue reading 2012 Porsche 911 hits U.S. dealerships 2012 Porsche 911 hits U.S. dealerships originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: Seat announces five-door Mii city car Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, SEAT 
We knew at its unveiling in Frankfurt that the debut of the production version of the Volkswagen Up! was only the beginning, what with all the concept versions Volkswagen showcased over the years. But that was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. VW isn't the only brand in the group that will offer the little city car, and its sister marques are eager to follow suit.
So after Volkswagen debuted the Up!, Skoda unveiled the Citigo and Seat showcased the Mii - all versions of the same vehicle, but with slightly modified sheetmetal and different nameplates. But those were only the three-door versions. Now that Volkswagen has confirmed the five-door Up! and Skoda the five-door Citigo, Seat is taking its turn with the five-door Mii.
The similarities between the Mii, Citigo and Up are, of course, greater than the differences. But at the end of the day, the variety gives European buyers a greater range of choices when buying their new city car, even if similar exercises on this side of the Atlantic - Plymouth, Mercury, Pontiac, Oldsmobile...we're looking at you - have long since disappeared.Continue reading Seat announces five-door Mii city car Seat announces five-door Mii city car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: Sauber stays hungry in F1 with new C31 Filed under: Motorsports, Racing 
Hunger is palpable in Formula One racing. The teams at the front are hungry for wins, while the teams at the back are hungry to claw their way up the field. But Sauber is just starving.
The Switzerland-based privateer team owned and operated by Peter Sauber has been struggling to find financial backing since BMW divested back in 2009. But somehow the team still manages to stay afloat, though to what end we have to wonder when the second and third places it achieved under Bavarian ownership in 2007 and 2008 have since dropped off dramatically to eighth and seventh in the past two seasons.
This year Sauber returns with little in the way of sponsorship and two relative newcomers in Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez behind the wheel. James Key has stepped down from his position as the team's technical director, an opening which Sauber does not intend to immediately fill. Engines are provided once more by Ferrari, and the nose is stepped and the hind-quarters tapered in similar fashion to most of the other cars revealed thus far.
Will this season and the new C31 chassis be the ticket towards Sauber finding sustenance in the most competitive of motorsports? We'll have to wait and see, but in the meantime you can check out the expansive gallery of high-resolution images from the launch at Jerez and the press release after the jump.Continue reading Sauber stays hungry in F1 with new C31 Sauber stays hungry in F1 with new C31 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chicago: 2012 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition priced from $31,225 Filed under: Car Buying, Chicago Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Mazda 
Behold, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition. The Japanese automaker will officially unveil the limited-production Miata under the lights of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show later today, featuring new goodies like a contrasting black retractable hard top and 17-inch gunmetal wheels.
This is the first time in the vehicle's history that the MX-5 Miata has been available with a non-matching hard top in the States. Mazda will only produce 450 units, and each one carries black leather heated seats with contrasting stitching as well as piano black trim panels indoors. Outside, buyers can choose between two exclusive colors: Velocity Red and Crystal White Pearl.
If you want one as badly as we do, Mazda will kindly ask you to hand over $31,225 for models boasting a six-speed manual transmission or $31,675 if you want the automatic (you don't). That cash will buy you a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 158 horsepower pushing a 2,593-pound vehicle and all of the niceties that come with Grand Touring trim. Hit the jump for the full press release.Continue reading 2012 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition priced from $31,225 2012 Mazda MX-5 Special Edition priced from $31,225 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe has the Civic in its Fluidic sights Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Coupe, Hyundai 
Hyundai wants its Elantra to dominate the C segment, and that means in all body styles. The just-introduced five-door GT is set to battle the Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza hatchbacks, and this new Elantra Coupe clearly has the two-door Honda Civic in its sights.
The four-door Elantra already wears pretty rakish sheetmetal that carries over nicely to the Coupe, which is actually half an inch longer than the sedan (173.8 inches versus 173.3 inches). The other dimensions are identical to the sedan, and Hyundai cites greater interior room as one of the Coupe's advantages over its competition. By contrast, the Honda Civic Coupe is 0.3 inches shorter than the Elantra Coupe, and the Honda rides on a three-inch shorter wheelbase.
The Elantra Coupe has more power than the Honda Civic Coupe and the manual should get 1 mpg more in the city and 4 more mpg on the highway
Hyundai's new two-door gets the same 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder being liberally spread across the line, with the same 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet as the Elantra GT and the same pair of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Mileage is estimated to be 29 city/40 highway for the manual and 28 city/39 highway for auto. This means the Elantra Coupe has more power than the Honda Civic Coupe and, if the fuel economy numbers hold true, the manual would get 1 mpg more in the city and 4 more mpg on the highway, but both slushbox cars would be dead even.
There will be two Elantra Coupe trims: base GS or top-spec SE. Both have been tuned for extra sportiness versus the sedan and, as we've come to expect, while Hyundai throws plenty at the GS, the SE gets the truly sporty goods. The SE swaps the 16-inch standard rims for 17-inchers, gets a rear "lip spoiler design element," even more suspension tuning for its lower-profile tires, and only it offers the option of touchscreen navigation and a rear-view camera. Both models, however, will get seven exterior colors, three of them Coupe-only, but inside it's nothing but black or grey.
Pricing should come soon, but for now, enjoy the press release after the jump and the high-res gallery of images. Stay tuned for more impressions live from the Chicago Auto Show floor.Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe has the Civic in its Fluidic sights 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe has the Civic in its Fluidic sights originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT is one handsome hatch Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Hyundai 
When you intend to go up against cars like the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Mazda3, it doesn't matter how softly or loudly you speak, your stick had better be impressive. Hyundai believes it has just the thing in the 2013 Elantra GT, which is the updated moniker for the Elantra Touring (and a throwback to five-door Elantras of yore).
The GT is the U.S. version of the European i30, and it's quite a looker if you're a fan of Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language. Under the hood, you'll find the same 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder as the sedan, sending 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque to the ground via either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. That puts it in the thick of a competitive set that, for Hyundai, also includes the Subaru Impreza and Toyota Matrix, but gives it the best power-to-weight ratio of them all. That's because the Elantra GT is 57 percent ultra high- and high-tensile steel, which helps keep its weight down to a lightest-in-segment 2,784 pounds when equipped with the automatic transmission.
Fuel economy is the beneficiary, with the automaker estimating an EPA rating of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 39 mpg on the highway (32 combined). Hyundai says this is good for a cruising range up to 448 miles.
Driving pleasure will be attended to with a sport-tuned suspension that uses MacPherson struts up front aided by a stabilizer bar, and a torsion bar setup out back. The real pleasures, though, are claimed on the inside, where the Elantra GT is said to provide more cargo room than the aforementioned competition and even the Nissan Juke. The mod-cons are prodigious and include, as standard, a cooled glovebox, heated front seats, 10-way power driver's seat, leather seating surfaces, automatic headlights, Bluetooth and seven airbags.
The 2013 Elantra GT goes on sale this summer. Have a read of the press release after the jump and stay tuned for live pics from our team at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT is one handsome hatch 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT is one handsome hatch originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible kicks out 650 hp, limits top speed Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Ford 
Twenty years ago, Ford debuted the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra at the Chicago Auto Show and introduced the world to its high-performance skunkworks department, known as SVT or Special Vehicle Team.
Today, Ford celebrates SVT's platinum anniversary the only way it knows how: with another Mustang variant. And as suspected, it comes in the form of a topless Shelby GT500.
Just as a refresher, at the 1992 show in Chicago the SVT Cobra put out 235 horsepower from its Vanilla Ice-approved 5.0-liter V8. Twenty years later, displacement has grown by less than a liter, but thanks to some 21st century tech and a massive supercharger, the 5.8-liter V8 in the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible makes the same 650 hp (and 600 pound-feet of torque) as its coupe counterpart, laying claim to the most powerful production V8 in the world.
In addition to the carbon fiber driveshaft, upgraded clutch, transmission and axle, SVT fitted its own specially developed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers, along with six-piston Brembo calipers squeezing massive discs up front.
Like the coupe, the Bilstein setup is part of the Performance Package (why it's not included as standard is beyond us) and Ford will also offer a Track Pack that includes an external oil cooler, differential cooler and transmission cooler to keep temps in check when flogging the drop top around the tarmac.
And before you ask: No, the GT500 coupe's 200 mph top speed doesn't carry over to the Convertible. In a rare moment of sanity, Ford's engineers saw fit to limit the GT500 'vert to 155 mph - like the rest of the roofless Mustangs. Hit the jump for the full details.Continue reading 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible kicks out 650 hp, limits top speed 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible kicks out 650 hp, limits top speed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chicago: 2013 Acura ILX puts a familiar face on entry-level luxury Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Acura, Luxury 
The 2013 Acura ILX is here, and it will be one of the new first-responders to address the perception of Acura's weakened health. It might just be our eyes, but the transition to Acura-spec wheels and paint job makes this look much more of-the-family than the concept shown in Detroit. However, the production lines remain true, minus some of the chrome showy bits from the concept.
Motivation will be provided by either a 150-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder working through a five-speed automatic, a 201-hp, 2.4-liter with a six-speed manual, or the first Acura hybrid with a 111-hp, 1.5-liter four-cylinder getting help from Integrated Motor Assist and a CVT, good for fuel economy estimates of 35/38 miles per gallon, city/highway. Follow the jump for a press release with more information, and look out for live pics from our team at the Chicago Auto Show.Continue reading 2013 Acura ILX puts a familiar face on entry-level luxury 2013 Acura ILX puts a familiar face on entry-level luxury originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chicago: 2013 Acura RDX gets more of the good stuff Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Crossover, Acura, Luxury 
More room, more power, more fuel efficiency and more advanced all-wheel drive are the four unique selling propositions for the 2013 Acura RDX. As with the 2013 ILX, the productionized version of Acura's people-hauler is very, very similar to the RDX Concept from Detroit with a new set of wheels and a new paint job.
The 3.5-liter V6 throws 33 more horsepower into the mix versus the previous generation's turbocharged four, and a brand new six-speed automatic transmission helps return an estimated 20 city/28 highway mile-per-gallon rating for the front-wheel-drive model. The AWD version only takes a slight knock from there, getting 19 city/27 highway.
The longer wheelbase and wider track equate to more room inside, and additional levels of luxury have been added features like Keyless Access, Pandora and an available power rear liftgate. There's plenty more information on it in the press release after the jump, and we'll have live shots from the Chicago Auto Show soon.Continue reading 2013 Acura RDX gets more of the good stuff 2013 Acura RDX gets more of the good stuff originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Long Term: 2011 Mini Countryman: January 2012 Filed under: Crossover, Mini, Long-Term Garage 
Literally two days after my last update about our long-term Mini Countryman, I found myself trudging through a snowstorm at 30 miles per hour on Interstate 94 along Michigan's west coast. I guess Mother Nature had heard my cries about not being able to test our Mini in the snow, and decided to reward me with super slippery roads and poor visibility for two and a half hours straight. Lovely.
Mile after mile, the Mini dutifully carried on while I watched large SUVs and a host of mid-size sedans slide off into the ditches on either side of I-94. I've lived in southeast Michigan my entire life, and I know how to drive in the slushy, slick stuff, but there's nothing quite like the combination of all-wheel drive and proper winter tires for times like this - it not only helps with driver confidence, but makes the whole process of safely navigating through a snowstorm much less fatiguing. Mini's All4 all-wheel-drive system made sure power was being sent to exactly which wheels needed it most, and our car's Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70 winter tires provided by the folks at Tire Rack kept the rollers from slipping during acceleration or skidding during braking.
After using the Mini to schlep many an Autoblog staff member to and from various Detroit Auto Show happenings, I handed the Countryman off to executive editor Chris Paukert, who turned it back over praising the All4 system and snow tires' handling on split-mu surfaces - even with the driver's side tires on wet asphalt and the passenger-side wheels trudging through ice and slush, the Mini remained confident and steady despite times when traction coefficients differed at every corner.
The Countryman now resides in Cleveland, Ohio, where it will be under Editor-in-Chief John Neff's care for the next month. We haven't had any snow to speak of since sending the Mini to Ohio, but I'm sure if Neff complains enough, Mother Nature will reward him with a big ol' lake-effect dumping to the Lake Erie coast so he can see just how good our All4/Blizzak combo is.
Keep your eyes locked on the official Autoblog Facebook page for the majority of our updates, as well as the official Autoblog Twitter account (@therealautoblog, look for the #ablongterm hashtag).2011 Mini Countryman: January 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Rumormill: Mercedes says no to hi-po diesels, may greenlight 911-fighter Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill, Diesel, Luxury 
Mercedes-Benz has no interest in pursuing BMW down the diesel performance rabbit hole, according to Autocar. The publication spoke with Ola Kallenius, chairman of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz AMG, who said the company explored the idea of performance diesels in the past and found the concept too fraught with compromises to be worthwhile. Kallenius said gasoline engines have obvious advantages when it comes to weight, sound, agility and response. The AMG guru also pointed to the fact that the company's modern performance engines have borrowed considerable diesel technology, including direct injection and turbocharging, to reach their current power and efficiency levels.
In a separate report, Kallenius was quoted as saying it would be wise to grow the AMG brand after the success of the SLS AMG coupe and roadster. Rumors have indicated a machine capable of giving the Porsche 911 a run for its money around the world's race tracks may be in the cards, but Kallenius said no final decision has been made about growing the performance arm's ranks just yet. Still, the boss didn't outright nix the idea, so there's some glimmer of possibility there, however thin.Mercedes says no to hi-po diesels, may greenlight 911-fighter originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: "Halftime in America" primarily filmed in LA, New Orleans Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler 
Chrysler's tagline is "Imported From Detroit," but when it came to shooting this year's Super Bowl commercial, most of the job got exported to other locales. According to The Weekly Standard, much of the footage in the Chrysler ad, starring and narrated by actor Clint Eastwood, was shot in Los Angeles and New Orleans. The only footage of Detroit used in the "Halftime in America" commercial wasn't shot specifically for this year's ad, according to the report.
While this revelation isn't out-of-line given the imagery used, which was certainly less focused on Detroit than last year's Super Bowl commercial starring rapper Eminem, the fact that "Halftime in America" was not shot in Michigan is still another bitter pill to swallow for locals. Michigan's once-burgeoning film industry is reeling from state lawmakers' decision in October to cut film production incentives.
According to this report in The Huffington Post, the film industry was booming in the state before the cuts, leading to both job growth and millions spent by filmmakers on ancillary expenses. But a new state budget caps rebates to film productions at $25 million, nearly $100 million less than the state provided in 2010, according to the report. The decision has led some Hollywood producers to cancel plans to film in Michigan."Halftime in America" primarily filmed in LA, New Orleans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Are these the patent filings for Volvo's S-Class-fighting S100 flagship? Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Volvo, Luxury 
There are luxury automakers, there are mainstream automakers, and then there are those in between. Volvo, we'd argue, is one of those marques that doesn't quite compete in the same market as, say, Mercedes-Benz or Lexus, but that looks as if it's about to change.
The Swedish automaker has been toying for years with the idea of building a new flagship to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and Lexus LS, but while Volvo has dragged its feet on the prospect in the past, a series of what look like patent renderings that have leaked their way online give us what could prove the strongest indication yet of Volvo's intent.
For better or worse, the renderings bear the hallmark of recent Volvo designs like the Concept Universe (unveiled in Shanghai last year), the Concept You (showcased in Frankfurt) and the upcoming next-generation XC90 - complete with the gaping maw that seems to mock the face we make when we look at these examples of this particular styling direction.
Of course, given the big wheels, showcar grille, delicate mirrors and suicide rear doors (not to mention the overall form), it seems more likely we're looking at renderings for the Concept Universe rather than a production model in the making, but that just leaves us wondering what the patent filing is for. We'll just have to wait a while to find out one way or another.Are these the patent filings for Volvo's S-Class-fighting S100 flagship? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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