July 19, 2008
For all you gearheads sitting by the pool (with your laptop of course), by the lake, by the beach, at the park, or wherever, here's a few automotive related items to get you through until Monday, when we start all over again:
The Parajet Skycar: Britain's zero-carbon flying dune buggy aims for Timbouctou.
Troubled GM is cutting back on NASCAR spending.
GM to build World's Largest Rooftop Solar Power Station.
A Ferrari Hybrid is coming by 2015!
A look at Volkswagen's cars of the future.
A futuristic windshield aims to help older drivers.
July 18, 2008
Mercedes-Benz is going turbo big time. By the end of 2010 all Mercedes are expected to be turbo-powered. As always, the reason for going turbo is increased fuel economy by using smaller engines, while retaining the power associated with larger engines.
"All our vehicles will have turbocharged engines in series production by the end of 2010 at the latest," Thomas Weber, Daimler board member responsible for research and development, told Automotive News Europe.
In addition there will be an S Class [full] hybrid coming in 2009.
Here's
Green Car Advisor's take:
All Mercedes Cars to be Turbocharged by 2010; Full Hybrid to Join S Class Next Year
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 18, 2008, 8:28 AM
- Categories: Green Tech, Mercedes-Benz, Trends
In an effort to allay both Wall Street and consumer fears, GM laid out their product cards for the future. Detailed images of the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze (Cobolt replacement), the Cadillac CTS Sportwagon (and Coupe), the Buick Invicta and Saab 9-4X were all there for everyone's pleasure.
Here's AutoObserver's take: GM Next-Gen Models Revealed, Including Chevy Cruze
Here's Inside Line's take: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Prepares To Become GM's Global Small Car
Invicta Showcar Previews 2010 Buick Sedan
2010 Saab 9-4X Crossover To Debut Next Spring
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 18, 2008, 7:45 AM
- Categories: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, General Motors, Saab
Boy, this could be useful in cities, where on-street parking is hard to come by!
It's called Smartphone, and it's hooked up to little square sensors that are glued to parking spaces. Drivers are alerted to empty parking places either by displays on street signs, or by looking at maps on screens of their smartphones. They may even be able to pay for parking by cellphone, and add to the parking meter from their phones without returning to the car. 6000 units are being tested in San Francisco.
If the San Francisco experiment works, no one will have to murder anyone over a parking space," [yes, it has happened!] said Donald Shoup, a professor of urban planning at the University of California, Los Angeles, whose work on the pricing of parking spaces and whether more spaces are good for cities has led to a revolution in ideas about relieving congestion.
"It will have a cascade of positive effects on transportation and the economy and environment," he said. About a dozen major cities are in discussions with technology companies to deploy so-called smart parking systems, though San Francisco is ahead in its efforts.
Full story here.
Image: Tod Dykstra, left, chief of Streetline, and Scott Dykstra glue down sensors.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 18, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Car Tech, Trends
New Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, which will debut at the Moscow Motor Show late this August, is not coming to the USA. That's a shame. Yeah, I know, there's a limited market here for any "true" SUV these days. Nevertheless, I still think this would be a good addition to the Mitsubishi U.S. product portfolio.
So this 5- or 7-passenger SUV will be sold where these types of vehicles are appreciated and will be used as intended. For those lucky markets who will get this vehicle (Russia, the Middle East, Latin America and Oceania), one can expect two diesel engine choices, 2.5L and 3.2L, as well as a 3.5L V6 gas engine choice. It also comes with Mitsubishi's excellent Super Select 4WD which can be used on any surface.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 18, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, Mitsubishi, SUVs
July 17, 2008
Better be quick here, as I'm not sure how long this link will remain live. A poster from NASIOC (North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club) got hold of a memo from SOA to dealers about some of the changes that the '09 WRX is getting, and posted it.
Needless to say SOA will be none too happy about this, and probably will pressure NASIOC to remove it. If that happens, fear not as there will be an "official" announcement at the end of this month on the '09 WRX and the other new new Imprezas.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 17, 2008, 2:47 PM
- Categories: Sports Cars, Subaru
Lancia, the Italian auto manufacturer known for its elegant originality and innovative spirit, will be celebrated as a featured marque at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, Aug. 17. Seventeen significant Lancia vehicles will be on display, ranging from a rarely seen 1953 Lancia Aurelia B20 Rally Car to one of the oldest Lancias on record, a 1908 12 hp Alpha (pictured). Lancia will be highlighted at the Concours along with Lamborghini and the centennial of General Motors.
"The Lancia history is quite remarkable," says Sandra Kasky Button, Chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours. "Lancia emerged as one of the most progressive, spirited car companies at the turn of the 20th century, producing their first car exactly 100 years ago. Their racing heritage includes wins in Formula One, rallying and sports cars."
In addition to producing the first narrow-angle V-4 and V-6 production engines, Lancia is recognized for numerous additional engineering advances that outdistanced other pre-war auto manufacturers. Founded in Turin, Italy by Vincenzo Lancia, the first Lancia, a 12 hp Alpha, debuted in 1908, and an example will be brought to the Concours by Milano, Italy car collector Corrado Lopresto, a 2005 Pebble Beach winner.
"Big, majestic and not very sporty, the Alpha's attraction is quality and reliability with advanced comfort," says Lopresto, whose '08 Alpha is one of just 108 that were built.
The Lancia Lambda, which debuted in 1922 sporting a groundbreaking single-body frame and independent front suspension, will be represented at the Concours.
Other notable Lancias coming to Pebble Beach include: the D24, one of Lancia's most innovative vehicles and the subject of the poster for the 2008 Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance presented by Rolex; a 1953 Lancia Aurelia B20 coupe - one of six designed to for competition (it won the 1953 Liège-Rome-Liège Rally); and the original Lancia Stratos HF Prototype Bertone Coupe, which made its world debut at the 1971 Turin Auto Show..
"It's truly a remarkable achievement for Lancia to be a featured marque at this year's Concours," says Francesco Gandolfi, Pebble Beach Concours Chief Class Judge. "This is the first time since I became involved in collectible cars in 1971 that I've seen Lancia being honored at a major event...and I don't know when, and if, I will see the same again."
Image: Courtesy of Mr. Corrado Lopresto. Used by permission of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. All rights reserved.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 17, 2008, 11:11 AM
- Categories: Classic Cars
The following is from the Bentley press release:2009 CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR AND CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR SPEED TO MAKE DEBUTS AT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOWThe 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur and Continental Flying Spur Speed will make their official international motor show debuts at ExCel (London) later this month.
"We are delighted that the next chapter of the Flying Spur success story will begin in our home market and at the British International Motor Show, notably as our British customers have played a key part in making this Bentley the most sought-after 12-cylinder luxury saloon in the world," comments Stuart McCullough, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing.
With its combination of exhilarating performance, luxury, craftsmanship and four-door practicality the 12-cylinder Continental Flying Spur has been at the forefront of Bentley's revitalisation since its launch in 2005 and the range is now refined and expanded with two highly distinctive models.
The instantly recognisable style of the Flying Spur undergoes a subtle evolution with changes to the front and rear design. The new, more upright grille and bolder lower air intake accentuate the distinctive Bentley profile, while a new rear bumper delivers a sleeker and more aggressive appearance.
The 552bhp Continental Flying Spur offers enhanced levels of comfort and choice. A comprehensive range of noise-absorbent measures including acoustic glazing ensure that cabin refinement, already a hallmark of the Continental Flying Spur, is best in class.
Bentley's famous commitment to the highest quality of craftsmanship and customer personalisation is highlighted with an enhanced choice of beautifully crafted marquetry and chrome inlays. In addition, seat piping, a traditional Bentley feature, has also been introduced with two new hide colours.
Joining the Continental Flying Spur in London is the 600bhp Flying Spur Speed which unleashes the potent performance and intense levels of driver engagement of its highly acclaimed stablemate, the Continental GT Speed.
Inspired by Bentley's legendary 'Speed' models that first appeared in 1923, the Flying Spur Speed offers a range of headline performance figures including a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 200mph.
The Flying Spur Speed is distinguished by unique design cues which underline its performance credentials, including dark-tinted radiator and air intake grilles, wider rifled exhaust tail pipes and unique 20-inch multi-spoke alloys.
Both Continental Flying Spur models can now be specified with Bentley Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). The ACC uses a long-range radar sensor, mounted in the lower front grille, to monitor the road ahead for other vehicles. When a slower moving vehicle is detected, the system automatically adjusts braking and acceleration to maintain a 'time gap', as selected by the driver.
The 'time gap' also controls the vehicle dynamic response. The larger the time gap the more relaxed the acceleration and braking, allowing the driver to tune the ACC system to suit their preferred driving style or to the prevailing traffic conditions.
More info can be found
here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 17, 2008, 6:25 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, Bentley, Luxury Cars
Honda has a pair of new hybrids that will soon be hitting dealers. The first being an updated version of the existing Civic hybrid, and the second to be a true dedicated Prius-fighter.
From the image above, the Civic appears to be getting a mild facelift. As to whether there are any mechanical upgrades, that's not known at the moment.
Spy Photos: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
The as of yet unnamed Prius-fighter (top image) is the one that's sure to get the most attention, as it was designed from day one to be a hybrid--and only a hybrid. It's expected in dealers around the end of 2010. It was also designed to do battle with the incredibly successful Toyota Pruis. Heck, it even looks a bit like a Prius in overall shape.
Spy Photos: 2010 Honda Hybrid Compact Coupe
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 17, 2008, 5:56 AM
- Categories: Honda, Hybrids
The idea is pretty simple. Take one Class 4-5 Isuzu diesel truck, yank the engine and replace it with a 00 kw, UQM liquid-cooled, DC brushless electric motor that receives juice from a 50 kw, recyclable lithium polymer battery pack that is then placed between the truck's frame rails.
The Zero Truck uses the stock GM automatic transmission and weighs in about 600 pounds more than before the conversion. The trucks come with an onboard charger and the battery pack takes 8 hours on 220 volts--or 12 hours--on 110 volts, for a complete charge. Best of all it costs about $3 to recharge.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 17, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Green Tech, Isuzu, Trucks
Aside from all the sure-to-come Cheech & Chong pot smokin' jokes, the new Lotus Eco Elise raises the art of eco-engineering to a new level. The company has gone out of their way to make sure that the entire manufacturing and driving process of the Eco Elise be as fuel efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. The new Lotus uses body panels built from a hemp resin, and it uses an eco wool and sisal in the interior. Paint is water-based and all materials are sourced locally to reduce the Eco Elise's total carbon miles in production.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 17, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Lotus
July 16, 2008
Long-time fans of the Subaru STI need no introduction to the spec.C. For those who aren't familiar, the "C" stands for competition, and has been offered in Japan (bottom image) for some time on the previous generation model. Now Subaru is about to release a new spec.C based on the current platform.
Some of what Subaru does to make a spec.C out of a normal STI are the following: First of all the car is made lighter. It has thinner glass and an aluminum roof and rear hatch, as well as a smaller battery and fuel tank. This results in a 70kg loss in weight. From a performance standpoint, there are larger brakes, a more taut suspension, and perhaps some engine tweaks as well. Unlike the test mule here (top image) you can expect a roof scoop, and an upgraded aero package as well as gold wheels.
The new spec.C is expected to go on sale in Japan towards the end of this year or early next year. There's no word as to if we will see this model--but it would be great if it did show up, as it would quiet those saying the STI has gone soft.
Full story here.
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 16, 2008, 7:15 AM
- Categories: Sports Cars, Subaru
Making its official global debut at the British Motorshow in London on July 22nd, the first all-new car from Lotus since the iconic Elise in 1995, will enter the sportscar market as the only mid-engined 2+2 in production.
The new car, which is known only by its project name 'Eagle', is an addition to the Lotus lineup, and does not replace any existing model. The car, the name for which will be announced at the British Motorshow on 22nd July is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 producing 280 PS. The new car employs innovative lightweight chassis technology in keeping with the great Lotus tradition.
Here's
Inside Line's take:
2008 British Auto Show Preview: Lotus Project Eagle
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 16, 2008, 6:02 AM
- Categories: Lotus, Sports Cars
No sooner had GM CEO Rick Wagoner delivered the sobering news regarding GM cuts, Bob Lutz was right there to confirm that there is a lot of life left in what we can expect from the General in terms of future products. More to the point, the recently rumored cutting of brands was not a part of the discussion. Nope, all the current brands are to remain in place according to Lutz.
The biggest change that we can expect is that products from GM (and other vehicle makers too) will have a decidedly European/international flavor to them. That means less trucks--and the trucks that do remain will be smaller and more efficient. Expect more smaller cars and fewer cars with big V8s. No longer will the American car market be different from that of Europe and elsewhere.
"This is a difficult transition but once the transition is made, it's going to ease our problem of no longer having to produce unique vehicles for the American market," Lutz said. "In the future, anything we create worldwide is available to use to either import or produce in the U.S."
For a quick glance as to what's in store, check out AutoObserver's editorial:
GM: Remapping for a More Euro-Style Vehicle Landscape
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 16, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, General Motors, HUMMER, Saturn
Okay, the guy pictured above is not the owner, just the goofy neighbor who got caught up in the excitement of a bear shredding the interior of a Subaru Impreza.
Not sure where this happened, other than to say it was in bear country. As you can see by the images that follow the jump, a Subaru is no match for a hungry and/or angry black bear. It all happened late at night, when the bear somehow locked him/herself in the car and couldn't get out. Around 4:00 am the bear set off the car horn and woke folks up.
So let this be a lesson to all you sloppy drivers who leave bags of potato chips in your car in the north woods: A bear's gonna getcha!
Continue reading...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland July 16, 2008, 4:00 AM
- Categories: Subaru
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