Autoblog

Filed under: SUV, Porsche, Canada, Diesel, Luxury

2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo - Click above for high-res image gallery
Audi, Mercedes, BMW and VW offer their premium SUVs in diesel flavors, and that's got Porsche rethinking its stance re: the Cayenne. According to a Porsche PR rep in Canada, the American managers are thinking about bringing the oil-burner this way in order to fill that hole. Two years ago, Porsche tested and then confirmed a diesel Cayenne for the American market that would use Audi's 3.0 TDI. It was supposed to arrive early last year; obviously, that never happened.

We drove the Euro-spec diesel Cayenne last year, and walked away thinking it's a "no-brainer for the American market." With the new Cayenne having lost all that weight and increased its performance, a diesel engine would pull even better. And if the numbers stand, with overall diesel-vehicle sales in North America predicted to hit around 250,000 units in 2014, it could be that Porsche thinks it's a no-brainer as well.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

[Source: Times Colonist]

Report: Porsche reconsidering diesel Cayenne for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports

X Games 16 Rally Practice Day - Click above for high-res image gallery
The practice day for the X Games 16 Rally competitors is in the books, and despite plenty of preparation the teams face some unexpected challenges at the new venue. The drivers first took to the makeshift dirt track at the L.A. Coliseum early yesterday afternoon and quickly found that the setup isn't ideally suited to automobiles - or at least anything with bumpers. The course features two major elevation changes, going up and out of the stadium and then back in again, and nearly all of the drivers are having difficulty with the latter. The entrance back into the stadium is so steep that drivers are forced to either come in extremely slowly or catch air and plow the front end of the car into the dirt. To make matters worse, an uneven track surface at the bottom of the descent causes the cars to go airborne again. It may be fun to watch, but it's undoubtedly frustrating for the drivers.

Interestingly, the one feature of the track that usually gives the drivers trouble - the jump - is no problem at all. Most drivers initially seemed cautious before making their practice runs, but they quickly realized that not too much speed is needed, and soon thereafter they were easily clearing the gap on every lap.

Overall, the current track layout at the new venue is disappointing. The course is essentially one large loop featuring all right turns, with the two elevation changes and the jump thrown in. Much of the course is fairly narrow as well, which will make the SuperRally either very boring (no passing) or very interesting (lots of bumping and crashing). We'll reserve judgment until we actually see it happen, and we fully expect the addition of actual competition and tens of thousands of fans to make things more exciting. Stay tuned for more live X Games 16 rally coverage this weekend.

Gallery: X Games 16 Rally Practice Day

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

X Games 16: Rally practice day reveals new challenges originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, First Drive

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery
Until now, General Motors hasn't exactly taken the small-car market seriously. While Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia have built their empires on the hoods of pint-sized, fuel-efficient transportation, history has shown the captains of Detroit tend to offer up parts-bin afterthoughts. Cars like the Chevrolet Cavalier and Cobalt have left a sour taste in the mouths of buyers thanks to noisy and de-contented cabins, rough engines and build quality that would make a Yugo blush. As a result, Americans have developed a sort of Pavolovian retch when we hear the term "compact car."

But a new dawn may be approaching - one heralded by a rash of new straw-weight fighters that aim to bring a global small car philosophy to the U.S. GM intends to be part of that party with the introduction of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, a sedan that, for all intents and purposes, is more of a landmark model for the company than the endlessly-hyped Chevrolet Volt. To get our meaning, you'll need to throw all of your heinous memories about American-built small cars out the window beginning... now.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze: First Drive

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sails into new era of small cardom

First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sails into new era of small cardom originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Luxury

Click above to watch the video after the jump
The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe has some serious performance chops. The potent angular coupe is loaded with a blown 6.2-liter V8 capable of 556-horsepower, 15-inch front and 14.7-inch rear Brembo brakes and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension setup. Impressive stats to be sure, but does Cadillac's sleek two-seater have the goods to take on the BMW M3 coupe and Audi RS5?

Both Motor Trend and Car and Driver have obviously been pondering the same question, as the competing buff mags dusted off their camcorders and cut up a pair of comparison videos featuring the three super coupes doing a ménage à trois of the automotive kind.

Make the jump to experience both videos. In the first video, MT goes all-out with its comparison, bringing both Editor-in-Chief Angus McKenzie and the spanking new CTS-V Coupe to Germany to take on the pair of well-established Bavarian competitors. The second video shows the unique C/D approach, with no first, second or third place finishers and not a single word is uttered. C/D just let the hot coupes speak for themselves with beautiful pictures and heavenly exhaust notes.

[Sources: Car and Driver, Motor Trend]

Continue reading Video: Double Bill - C/D and MT pit Cadillac CTS-V Coupe vs. Audi RS5 vs. BMW M3

Video: Double Bill - C/D and MT pit Cadillac CTS-V Coupe vs. Audi RS5 vs. BMW M3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Porsche, Humor, Specialty

1985 Porsche 944 Batmobile Tribute - Click above for high-res image gallery
This author will be the first to admit that he's not exactly overflowing with love for the Porsche 944, but don't expect any amused looks from this camp about seeing this car degraded into a stumpy rendition of Tim Burton's Batmobile. Sadly, that's just what seems to have happened with this particular 1985 944. According to the seller, the car still boasts the stock 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a five-speed manual cog box, so you won't be outpacing baddies anytime soon. A NOS Sniper system has been installed on the car, but thankfully, it's never been used. We're guessing hitting the go-go juice would be a heckuva lot of fun - but probably just once.

A few of the movie car's more outlandish traits have made their way to this poor Porsche, including those wild batwing fins and a pair of replica .223 machine guns that light up for effect. The car does feature the kind of sound system you'd need to drown out the riotous laughter of those in traffic around you, so that's a plus. The seller says that the front fenders need to be finished, and as such, you can get this puppy for a song. Asking price is a mere $6,500. You can check out the full listing here. Thanks for the tip, Kris!

Gallery: 1985 Porsche 944 Batmobile Tribute

[Source: Kijiji]

Online Find of the Day: Holy Abomination Batman - It's a customized 1985 Porsche 944! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Lexus ES 350 is soft-riding royalty that's lost its crown

Lexus continues to give the people what they want, but is its aging ES still the benchmark for the class?

Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video]

In our final dispatch from Japan, we get behind the wheel of Toyota's latest prototypes and simulators, and enjoy a close-up view of two Camry sedans being smashed together at Toyota's newest crash testing facility.

X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video]

The X Games extravaganza kicks off this weekend and we get some seat time with the series' most competitive drivers.

Also of interest:

• Oft-rumored Nissan Murano convertible tipped to debut at LA Auto Show
• Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video]
• 2011 Toyota Tacoma gets sweet-looking TRD T|X and T|X Pro packages
• Toyota already set to cancel four-cylinder 4Runner
• Nissan refreshes Rogue crossover for 2011
• Toyota secures trademark for Supra name

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.30.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac

The Smoking Tire drives the Firebreather - Click above to watch video after the jump
Matt Farah and the crew from The Smoking Tire just can't seem to get enough of the 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible they had for this year's Bullrun. With the cross-country party over and nothing but a mountain of citations looming in the distance, The Smoking Tire set out to give the big Blue Oval one last goodbye. Of course, they couldn't spend an entire episode pouring over every last detail of a vehicle that regular viewers know all too well. Instead, the show lined up a quick stint behind the wheel of the Classic Design Concepts Firebreather.

Think of it as what the 2010 Pontiac Firebird would have looked like if the Poncho had survived the GM apocalypse and the company's designers had been on acid. If you can get past the wildly rear sheet metal and the drooping front fascia, there's a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter V8 in the Chevrolet Camaro on which it's based. The whole concoction is good for 600 horsepower, and while the car was originally worked up for an Exodus Productions movie, Classic Design Concepts will be selling genuine Firebreather models to the public. Hit the jump to see Farah wrangle the car through a canyon or two.

[Source: The Smoking Tire]

Continue reading Video: The Smoking Tire gets to play with the Firebreather

Video: The Smoking Tire gets to play with the Firebreather originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ford

2011 Ford Mustang SR-71 Blackbird - Click above for high-res image gallery
Generous giving can be a sign of how the economy is doing, and if the auction of the custom SR-71 Blackbird Mustang at the EAA AirVenture show yesterday is anything to go by, then things are looking up. Built in collaboration with Ford, Roush and Shelby, the one-off pony car was sold for $375,000 to benefit the EAA's Young Eagles program - that's significantly more than $250,000 the AV-X10 'Dearborn Doll' Mustang raised last year at the event.

Of course, the winning bidder was likely motivated by a little more than charity during the bidding. The one-of-one 2011 Mustang features an exterior designed after the legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane, and it includes black and gray matte exterior paint, custom front and rear fascias, performance wheels and a unique screen-print glass roof. Performance has also been boosted thanks to a Whipple supercharger system and a slew of Ford Racing Performance Parts. Follow the jump for more details on the car or check it out in our gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Mustang SR-71 Blackbird

[Source: Roush via MustangsDaily.com]

Continue reading One-off SR-71 Mustang sells for $375,000 at EAA AirVenture

One-off SR-71 Mustang sells for $375,000 at EAA AirVenture originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Porsche Panamera 4S - Click above for high-res image gallery

Buried within Porsche's recent announcement regarding its plans to test three electric Boxsters, the company openly confirmed that the launch of the Panamera S Hybrid is on track for 2011. Though perhaps not as innovative or as those racy electric vehicles, the Panamera S Hybrid still hails from Stuttgart and, therefore, is bound to be one exhilarating ride.

The upcoming Panamera will borrow the hybrid hardware found in the current Cayenne S Hybrid. That means it will sport a 329-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine mated to a 46 hp electric motor. Like the Cayenne S Hybrid, the Panamera's parallel hybrid setup boasts the ability to operate at low speeds under electric power alone. When the production Panamera S Hybrid takes to the streets in 2011, it will become the company's second model to sport a hybrid powertrain, a remarkable achievement considering that few people associate Porsche with fuel efficiency. Follow the jump for more info on Porsche's fuel-saving plans.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche confirms 2011 launch of Panamera S Hybrid

Porsche confirms 2011 launch of Panamera S Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions

1995 McLaren F1 to be auctioned by Gooding & Company - Click above for high-res image gallery
Gooding & Company's auction coinciding with this year's Pebble Beach Concours is coming up in a few short weeks, and the lineup of available cars is shaping up to be quite impressive. Already dozens of incredibly compelling and valuable collector cars are scheduled to make their way across the block, but the car that has caught our attention the most so far is a 1995 McLaren F1.

The F1 is singularly special in its own right, but this particular car is even more attractive to buyers in the United States since it's one of the few examples actually registered in the country. The car was sold originally to Larry Ellison, the CEO of Oracle, who was one of the sponsors of McLaren's race team back in the mid-1990s. This F1 comes finished in classic Magnesium Silver paint with a black interior and comes with its factory-delivered luggage and tools. The estimated price? A mere $2.5 to $3.5 million. Follow the jump for full details in the press release from Gooding, and be sure to check out the images below.

Gallery: 1995 McLaren F1 - Gooding & Company

Photos by Paul Litwinski (C) 2010 Courtesy of Gooding & Company

Continue reading Gooding to auction 1995 McLaren F1 in Monterey

Gooding to auction 1995 McLaren F1 in Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Safety, Technology, Videos, Lexus, Toyota

Inside Toyota's Higashi-Fuji tech center - Click above for high-res image gallery
Sitting in the shadow of Mount Fuji, Toyota's Higashi-Fuji technical center is part proving grounds and part engineering center. But unlike most facilities, Higashi-Fuji includes an array of engineering and research offices employing over 3,000 employees, and an assortment of non-track test facilities.

The Higashi-Fuji campus opened back in 1966 and has grown to encompass nearly 2.7 millionsquare feet of facility floor space. We were given the rare opportunity to visit the facility where we witnessed one unique crash test, tried out one of the world's most advanced driving simulators and sampled an assortment of new safety features, including a brake override system, enhanced pre-collision braking, pedestrian detection and updated ABS calibrations for the Prius. Make the jump for the full report.

Gallery: Inside Toyota's Higashi-Fuji tech center

Continue reading Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video]

Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Autoline on Autoblog

Car Prices Will Climb For Years

Have you've been watching car prices lately? They seem to go up every month. Forget everything you've been reading about sales incentives, bargain leases or low-cost financing. They just mask the fact that automakers are quietly bumping up MSRP's every chance they get.

In other words, they quietly raise the price of a car and then loudly announce the deals they're offering. Sure, you get a discount. But that discount comes off an ever-higher price.

I've said it before and I'll say again. By 2015, the average new car in the American market is going to cost about $35,000. I'm not talking about the MSRP, which is already at an average of $33,000. I'm talking about the transaction price, what people actually pay for a car.

There are a variety of reasons why this is happening. But it basically comes down to this: even though car sales are very weak, we're actually in a seller's market. The planets are in alignment for automakers to raise their prices, especially for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. And it's only going to get worse.



John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, SUV, Crossover

2011 Infiniti QX56 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Finally, after years and years of stagnation and painfully slow sales, small cars are starting to take a foothold in the United States. Or are they? While conventional wisdom makes us believe that Americans are ready to take the downsizing plunge in the face of - or at least the threat of - high fuel prices and environmental concerns (we're all still watching the Gulf Coast, right?), it seems that reality may once again set us straight.

Automotive sales watchdog Autodata has found that the gas-swilling large SUV segment is growing at a faster pace than the America's small car segment. Like statistics? Here we go: With a 19-percent jump over the first six months of 2010, large SUV sales have outpaced small cars (14 percent). Critically, they've also outpaced the overall market (17 percent).

Now, before we get our feathers riled up too much, realize that sales of large SUVs still lag way behind small cars - 974,000 to 121,000 through the first half of the year. Further, large crossovers like the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Flex, GMC Acadia and Lincoln MKT are included in those figures right alongside traditional behemoths like the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Infiniti QX56 and Toyota Sequoia.

We also expect that small car sales will continue to climb with new models coming to market, such as the upcoming Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 and Hyundai's Accent and Elantra. That said, there's always going to be a demand for large and powerful SUVs that can haul people and stuff while towing a boat or camper in cool, air-conditioned comfort, and automakers will be only too happy to provide the thick-margined vehicles for their consumption. For better or for worse.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Infiniti QX56

[Source: USA Today via Kicking Tires]

Report: Large SUV segment outpacing small car sales growth in America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Truck, Crossover, Ford

Ford Explorer Sport Trac Adrenalin - Click above for high-res image gallery
When it comes to a new Explorer Sport Trac for 2011, the only real surprise would have been if Ford had actually opted to build one. With the standard Explorer moving to a unit-body architecture, there are no plans for a new pickup truck version, a vehicle that probably would have been something akin to the Honda Ridgeline.

Since the Ridgeline hasn't exactly been flying off dealer's lots, Ford has wisely decided to focus on its full-bodied version, the Explorer. The Blue Oval hasn't made a habit of breaking out Sport Trac sales from its SUV kin, but the Explorer only totaled 52,190 in 2009, so the pickup's volume probably wasn't a huge seller. According to Automotive News' sources, Sport Trac sales usually totaled about 20 to 25 percent of Explorer sales over the last decade, but that number strikes us as curiously high. Over its entire life, we never saw a ton of them - even on the roads around Michigan where domestic pickups are commonplace.

Gallery: 2008 Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Unsurprising News of the Day: Ford Explorer Sport Trac is toast originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Celebrities, Racing

X Games 16 Subaru Practice Session - Click above for high-res image gallery
It was just a short time ago - five years, to be exact - that rallying was introduced as a competition in the X Games. The first event started out in spectacular fashion, with Travis Pastrana beating out the late Colin McRae after the former World Rally Championship winner rolled his car with just a few turns to go.

Since then, the competition has become stronger and car manufacturers have increased their involvement as interest in the sport has increased thanks to ESPN's mainstream audience. This year looks to be one of the most exciting events yet with a host of new cars, new drivers, new rules and even a new event. Follow the jump to learn about what to expect for this year's X Games 16 and what it's like to ride shotgun in a 500-horsepower rally car.

Gallery: X Games 16 Rally Preview - Subaru

Gallery: X Games 16 Rally Preview - ACP Racing

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video]

X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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President Obama toured the General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck facility where the automaker will build (can we say "is building" yet?) the Chevrolet Volt today, and as any good PR person will surely agree, you can't let an opportunity like that go by without making an announcement of some sort. So, GM has something to say and it's big news, too: GM will increase Volt production capacity by 50 percent in 2012.

Details are as follows: Instead of making 30,000 Volts in the U.S. in 2012, GM will now make 45,000. These numbers are lower than production numbers we heard rumors of in years past, but they're good news for fans of plug-in vehicles. Is the increase a response to positive reaction to the Volt's $33,500 after-tax-rebate price tag? Maybe, GM said in a statement that, "In the past few weeks, more than 25,000 people have joined the Chevrolet Volt enthusiast list."

The news is good for the President, too, since the White House is pushing The American Auto Industry: A Comeback Story message this week. Part of that is an interactive version of the White House map showing places where the government has supported automakers, which you can find here.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Sources: General Motors, WhiteHouse.gov]

Continue reading GM will increase Volt production by 50% - to 45,000 units - in 2012

GM will increase Volt production by 50% - to 45,000 units - in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Crossover, Nissan, Rumormill

As much as we were hoping that it was nothing more than an elaborate internet hoax by a talented Photoshopper, we're getting closer and closer to slotting this one away in the Silly But Apparently True file. According to Inside Line, the oft-rumored Nissan Murano convertible is indeed coming to an auto show near you, starting late this year at the LA Auto Show.

Yes, we're serious. No, we're not sure we get it either.

If there's any truth to this rumor, we can expect the droptop crossover to hit the market as a 2012 model equipped with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine and continuously variable automatic transmission as the standard-issue Murano. The switchover to convertible status will reportedly include the removal of the rear doors and may even come with a Chrysler PT Cruiser-esque hoop that's ostensibly there to boost rigidity and act as some sort of roll bar in the unlikely event of a tipover. We're sure it'll be just the thing for unstable homecoming queens come parade duty.

Gluttons for punishment are free to see the complete retina-roasting rendering here at Inside Line. Hey, don't blame us... we warned you.

[Source: Inside Line]

Oft-rumored Nissan Murano convertible tipped to debut at LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Chrysler, GM, Earnings/Financials

You don't have to be a pollster to know that for the most part, the American public remains none too happy about the federal government handing over the people's hard-earned tax dollars to pull General Motors and Chrysler out of the fires of insolvency. Despite the fact that both companies have managed to keep their lights on, doors open and paychecks flowing due to their generous federal loans, Joe Plumber still can't stand the thought of paying the price of the two companies' failures. With midterm elections right around the corner, President Obama is in Detroit to attempt to sway that opinion.

The Commander-in-Chief will speak to crowds at Chrysler's Jefferson North plant about the positive side of loaning close to $85 billion to two of our country's largest automakers, including the fact that in 2010, the Big Three have re-hired a total of 55,000 of the 334,000 workers it sent packing a year prior. That may seem like a fraction of the total, but the President is certain to point out that without the loans, that job loss figure would have been much higher.

And then there's the matter of getting the federal government's money back. President Obama is also focusing on sharing his belief that a large majority of the country's money will be returned once GM and Chrysler go public once again.

Interested in keeping tabs on Obama's visit to Motown? The Detroit Free Press has a liveblog that you can follow along with (including live audio) by clicking here.

[Sources: Bloomberg, Detroit Free Press | Image: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty]

Obama working to pitch success of auto bailouts to American public originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery
Engine downsizing has now come to the almost top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG with the adoption of AMG's new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8. The new direct-injected V8 bumps output up from a mere 518 horsepower to 571 horsepower along with generating 663 pound-feet of torque between 2,250 and 3,750 rpm. That's sufficient to propel this behemoth to 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds in normal trim or 4.4 seconds if you opt for the AMG sports package.

The 2011 S63 also swaps out its previous torque converter automatic transmission for the multi-clutch unit from the SL63, a move which should lend it a more sporting feel. Just as other automakers get both performance and efficiency benefits from boosted direct-injected engines, the S63's combine fuel economy numbers have jumped from 16.3 miles per gallon (U.S.) to 22.4 mpg on the EU test cycle. The EPA numbers aren't yet available, but we would expect a similar real-world increase from the 2010 model's 14 mpg, though perhaps a bit smaller since the EPA's testing methodology won't show any benefits from the S63's new automatic start-stop feature. Official press release and driving footage video after the jump, spanking new high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video]

Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Safety, Videos, Racing

Funny car checkup yields some unexpected excitement - Click above to watch video after the jump
If you aren't terrified on some primordial level of the funny car drag racing class, odds are it's only a matter of time before natural selection comes a-callin'. Most funnies run a variation on the 500 cubic-inch, supercharged big-block formula while slurping down nitromethane/methanol fuel by the drum. No one's exactly sure how much power these suckers dish out, but estimates in the 8,000 pony range are typically considered conservative. Yeah. Wrap your noggin around that one for half a second. The whole concoction is designed to hold together just long enough scoot down the eighth or quarter mile, so it should come as no surprise that accidents happen.

We don't want to blow the surprise for you (you'll have to watch the video for that), but according to the video's YouTube comments, the son of the driver was beginning to check his dad's car over one last time when the vehicle's supercharger broke a stud. Hit the jump to see what happened next.

[Source: YouTube via CarDomain]

Continue reading Video: Sunday! Sunday!! Sunday!!! Witness the incredible ManEater funny car!

Video: Sunday! Sunday!! Sunday!!! Witness the incredible ManEater funny car! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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