Category: Auto Industry

Report: Volkswagen WRC program to lead to street-legal Polo R?

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Rumormill

Volkswagen Polo R WRC

Volkswagen Polo R WRC – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s been an on-again, off-again affair with rumors of a possible R version of the Volkswagen Polo. But according to the latest from the Old World, things are looking up for the prospective pocket rocket.

The change in fortunes come down, according to Autocar, to the launch of the Volkswagen Polo R WRC, the car with which the German automaker is preparing to mount its assault on the World Rally Championship. As you can see, the rally machine carries R branding, prompting the British publication to press VW board member Ulrich Hackenberg on the renewed possibility of a production Polo R hot hatch.

Hackenberg admitted such a vehicle is more likely with the launch of the WRC Polo, but that it wouldn’t arrive before 2013. As for specs, that’s all up to speculation. Autocar figures on a version of the Polo GTI’s 1.4-liter twin-charger four with over 200 horsepower, with or without the all-wheel-drive system being developed by Audi for the A1 built on the same platform. One way or another, we’ll be watching this development as it unfolds (or doesn’t).

Volkswagen WRC program to lead to street-legal Polo R? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 May 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Computer glitch causes gas station to sell 8,000 gallons at $1.10

BSOD

When residents of Wilmington – a neighborhood of Los Angeles, California – got word that a local Valero fueling station was selling gas for the bargain price of $1.10 per gallon, almost immediately, vehicles lined up ’round the corner. This wasn’t one of those promo deals on fuel, though. It was a computer glitch that lead to the station dispensing some 8,000 gallons of gas at just $1.10 each.

According to KCAL 9, it took hours for the on-duty gas station attendant to notice the glitch (didn’t the line-up of cars give it away?). In the meantime, police arrived on the scene to direct traffic around the overcrowded station.

When station owner Kenny Nguyen got wind of his unintended act of kindness, he immediately shut down all of the pumps. All told, Nguyen estimates that he lost nearly $21,000 due to the glitch. Ouch.

Computer glitch causes gas station to sell 8,000 gallons at $1.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 May 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi S6 and S7 to offer diesel engines *UPDATE

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Audi, Rumormill, Luxury

spy photo audi s7

2012 Audi S7 spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Audi S lineup is not a world filled with many choices. Sure, you can pick your poison in terms of which S vehicle you want, but you do not have a say in which engine is mounted under the hood. However, it seems the upcoming Audi S6 and S7 might be poised to break with that tradition.

Rumor has it that the more athletic versions of the A6 and A7 will be offered with a choice of engines. The standard engine for both cars is slated to be a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with around 450 horsepower, but Audi is reportedly going to offer up a diesel, as well, marking the first time such an engine has been offered with an S-branded vehicle. This 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 should be good for 300 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque.

*Update: Apparently, this one is too good to be true – kind of. The cars will be available with the diesel lumps, but the badging will keep the A and not wear an S. Regardless, we’re excited to see more sporty diesels arrive stateside.

Audi S6 and S7 to offer diesel engines *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Queensboro Bridge “Off-Ramp of Doom” claims third VW

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf crash at the queensboro bridge

Volkswagen Golf crash at the queensboro bridge – Click above to watch video after the jump

The Queensboro bridge in New York City has seen its third major accident involving a Volkswagen since March. According to The New York Post, a 2007 Volkswagen Golf lost control while exiting the bridge, struck scaffolding erected outside of a building and landed on top of a parked livery vehicle. The driver of the VW was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries. No one else was harmed in the incident.

That’s a better outcome than in both of the previous accidents. The post reports that in April, the driver of a Jetta lost control in that exact location and spun into two store fronts. The driver later died of her injuries. Likewise, in March, a single-car accident at the off ramp resulted in the death of a pedestrian. The driver of that particular Volkswagen Golf lost an arm as a result of his injuries.

At this point, it’s unclear what will be done to curb speeding on the off-ramp. Hit the jump to view a news report of the latest incident.

Continue reading Queensboro Bridge “Off-Ramp of Doom” claims third VW

Queensboro Bridge “Off-Ramp of Doom” claims third VW originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 May 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Saab 9-4X

Filed under: Crossover, Saab, First Drive, Luxury

Against The Odds, Saab’s First Crossover Comes Good

2011 Saab 9-4X

2011 Saab 9-4X – Click above for high-res image gallery

As we assembled media and executives sat down to dinner in Washington, D.C. the night before driving the 2011 Saab 9-4X, a waiter leaned over my shoulder with a bottle of sparkling water and poured it into a waiting rocks glass filled with ice and a lemon. He paused, staring intently at my glass. Clearly flummoxed, the dinner service ground to a halt. “May I, sir?” As I had no earthly idea what was troubling him, I nodded. “Certainly.” He picked up the glass, reached into its mouth and fished out the lemon only to squeeze it with much theater. The wedge yielded but a drop or two of juice. “Dry!” he pronounced with a mixture of pride and embarrassment. Perhaps reading the confusion on my face, he followed this proclamation by saying “You can ‘ell becooze…. it was… ah…. reluctant to float.” He then disappeared into the back of the restaurant for what seemed like minutes, reemerging with a new glass filled with ice and a noticeably plumper wedge of citrus riding atop the rim of the glass.

You just never know what’s going to hold up a car launch.

Stick around in this business for a while, and you’ll see how labor unrest, cash crunches, bad mergers and natural disasters can wreak havoc on a new automobile’s gestation and production schedule. We thought we’d seen it all, but the poor folks at Saab are surely trying for some kind of record with the number of calamities threatening to scrap not just the launch of this 9-4X, but the Swedish brand altogether. In fact, this handsome looking crossover is already late to the party – it was originally slated to launch in 2009 alongside its General Motors’ platform-mate, the Cadillac SRX.

Given the strong initial sales of the SRX, you might think that Saab’s ownership expects big volume out of its first proper crossover (the late and not lamented 9-7X was an SUV and the 9-3X is little more than a wagon on stilts). But based on our conversations with company officials, not so much – they’re looking to shift just 10,000 units globally in 2011 – a seemingly trifling sum until one looks at Saab’s miserable sales figures worldwide. Continue reading…

Continue reading 2011 Saab 9-4X

2011 Saab 9-4X originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta ST tackles the ‘Ring

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Ford

Ford Fiesta ST spy shots

Ford Fiesta ST spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford’s tiny-tough Fiesta ST is getting closer to production, and our spies recently captured this revised prototype being put through its paces out on the Nürburgring. This latest tester clearly sports a huge grille opening with a visible intercooler, large wheels and a revised rear exhaust.

The Fiesta ST will be powered by Ford’s 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four, with an expected 180 horsepower running to those front wheels. We don’t doubt that the boosted Fiesta will be a pretty slick little hot hatch, and we’ll have the full details when the car makes its official debut later this year. In the meantime, click through our high-res image gallery to see the three-door test mule running ’round the ‘Ring.

Ford Fiesta ST tackles the ‘Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 May 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Bodyless Dodge Viper is the ultimate burnout machine

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Videos, Dodge

Dodge Viper doing a burnout

Bodyless Dodge Viper does perfect burnouts – Click above to watch video after the jump

Chrysler really should have sold the Dodge Viper without its body. We don’t really have anything against the slinking lines of the big snake, but there’s something about the vision of the V10 monster frolicking around with its skirt off that simply flips all the right switches. It’s like a post-pubescent Ariel Atom. If you recall seeing the awesome Viper-powered Saab 9-3 SportCombi built by Zatzy forum member mrspringer, you probably spent at least half a second wondering what fate befell the engine’s donor.

Well, wonder no more.

Mrspringer seemingly got a hold of the whole vehicle in running condition with one notable exception – it had no skin. Like any mad scientist worth his salt, the guy immediately set the rear tires spinning and the naked guts of the Viper pirouetting in a remarkably tight parking area. We applaud both his car control skills and his commitment to safety. Remember, kids, always wear your seatbelt. Hit the jump to check out the action for yourself.

Continue reading Bodyless Dodge Viper is the ultimate burnout machine

Bodyless Dodge Viper is the ultimate burnout machine originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Falcon Motorcycles Black Falcon is the epitome of the art [UPDATED w/video]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Motorcycle

Falcon Motorcycles Black Falcon

Falcon Motorcycles Black Falcon – Click above for high-res image gallery

One of these days, we’re going to make it down to the Quail Motorcycle Gathering. Aside from being a Mecca for the two-wheel set, the venue also serves as the backdrop for numerous debuts. This year, Falcon Motorcycles pulled the sheets back on its latest creation – the Black Falcon. The machine started life as a legendary Vincent Black Shadow that had been converted into a drag racer and lakebed heathen.

After a year of work by a six-man crew, the bike has transcended mere transportation. The blueprinted engine now produces a full 75 horsepower thanks to lightened, balanced internals, and a set of massive brakes sourced from the locomotive sector stand ready to bring the party down from its 140 mph top speed.

There isn’t a single piece of the Black Falcon that hasn’t been broken down and re-engineered to perform and look better than the factory ever intended. Falcon even constructed two tanks for the machine – one for road travel and smaller, one-gallon piece for racing duty. We’re completely smitten. Head over to Bike Exif for a full rundown on the creation, and be sure to check out this beautiful machine in our high-res image gallery.

*Update: Video can now be found after the break.

Continue reading Falcon Motorcycles Black Falcon is the epitome of the art [UPDATED w/video]

Falcon Motorcycles Black Falcon is the epitome of the art [UPDATED w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What you missed on 5.16.11

Review: 2011 Nissan Pathfinder

Yes, a pessimist could surely find plenty about the aging Pathfinder to complain about, but the deep-seated, glass-half-full optimist can take that 4,800-pound bag of lemons and make some sweet-tasting lemonade. It took the entirety of our week with the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder, but we finally figured out exactly who this vehicle is for. Could it be you?

Spy Shots: Scion FR-S caught prepping for ‘Ring runs

Spy photographers managed to capture a camo-covered FR-S development mule adding “Germany” to the stamps in its passport book.

Bimmerfest 2011 invades the Rose Bowl

Bimmerfest celebrated its eleventh anniversary at a much larger venue this weekend: the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Also of interest:

  • Confirmed: Next-gen Porsche 911 to use KERS throughout entire model range
  • Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz to shoehorn twin-turbo V12 into the G-Wagen for 612-hp G65 AMG?
  • Cadillac ATS to show how much GM learned from the BMW 3 Series
  • Rumormill: Mercedes E300 Bluetec diesel hybrid could make it to the U.S.
  • Report: Saab announces memorandum of understanding with China’s Pang Da

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

What you missed on 5.16.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale making music on the hills of Maranello

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Maserati

maserati granturismo mc stradale

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale – Click above to watch the video after the jump

The Maserati GranTurismo is one sexy two-door, and the ultimate in Trident-wearing super coupes is the MC Stradale. To give this super GT its bragging rights, Maserati engineers coaxed another 20 horsepower from its 4.3-liter V8 engine, bringing the grand total to 450 powerful ponies. Also tweaked were the chassis and aero, giving the MC Stradale the agility to handle all the extra brute force.

We haven’t had the opportunity to test the GranTurismo MC Stradale for ourselves, but we can at least hear how good this primo coupe sounds on the open road. Hit the jump to watch video of the MC Stradale as it prances through the winding roads of Maranello, Italy.

Continue reading Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale making music on the hills of Maranello

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale making music on the hills of Maranello originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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