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Report: Aging Chevy Impala gets standard 302-hp V6 for 2012

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet

2011 Chevrolet Impala

2011 Chevrolet Impala – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has finally come out and said exactly what kind of power the 2012 Chevrolet Impala will bring to the table when it debuts later this year. In February, we heard that the aging full-size four-door will come with a 3.6-liter V6 under the hood mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, though at the time, The General elected to skip handing out any specifics beyond displacement. According to GMInsideNews, the 2012 Impala will pack a full 302 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque in standard trim when it touches down.

The 2012 Buick Lacrosse is set to receive the same updated 3.6-liter V6.

Unfortunately, those impressive numbers are to be the sum total of the updates that GM has planned for the Impala. The model has been on sale in its current configuration since 2006 and a full update isn’t scheduled to land until 2014 at the earliest. Still, as GMInsideNews points out, the refreshed six pot gives the 2012 Impala almost as much power as the old Impala SS – not too shabby.

Aging Chevy Impala gets standard 302-hp V6 for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Aston Martin working on Cygnet EV

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Aston Martin, Rumormill, Electric, Luxury

Aston Martin Cygnet

Here’s a bit of news that’s sure to acquaint faces with their respective palms all across the motoring world: word on the web is that Aston Martin is planning to produce an all-electric version of the company’s new compact, the Cygnet. This, friends, is why people drink in the morning. The vehicle is all but guaranteed to be a reworked version of the Toyota iQ EV, as you probably figured out all on your own.

Why would Aston Martin, a company that’s built its legacy on the aching chords sung by mighty V8 and V12 engines possibly forsake the altar of internal combustion for a battery pack? The same reason every other manufacturer on the planet is dabbling in electrons – to reduce its corporate average fuel economy and slim down emissions at the same time. Does this mean we can expect some other electrified coupes from Aston Martin wearing more appropriately British bodywork? Don’t hold your breath.

We can’t wait to see what Clarkson has to say about this one.

Aston Martin working on Cygnet EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #230!

Filed under: Podcasts

Autoblog Podcast

Click above to subscribe to The Autoblog Podcast in iTunes

We’re recording Episode #230 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, so check out our discussion topics below. You can also use the forum below to drop us your own feedback and questions, or vote on your fellow readers’ submissions to help determine what else we discuss this evening. You can subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven’t already done so to hear your question answered by our esteemed panel of ‘casters.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #230

Saab rescued from the brink, for now
Mid-engine Corvette rumors. Again.
Cadillac ATS learning from the 3 Series
LA Sheriff’s department evaluates the latest cruisers

Subscribe to the Autoblog Podacast and hear your questions asked:
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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #230! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Patent shows Porsche working on pop-up hood for next 911

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Safety, Technology, Porsche

Porsche emblem

Europe is a dangerous place to be a pedestrian. With crowded cities characterized by gridlock and narrow streets, you have to be on your game every second to avoid getting bowled over by a raging, overzealous motorist. All too often, that spells tragedy.

With one-sided car-on-human accidents on the rise, automakers are feeling increased pressure from their governments to make their cars safer, not just for the guy behind the wheel, but the guy they might hit.

Porsche is apparently working on a pop-up hood for the upcoming 911, which would raise up in the event of a collision with a pedestrian and, with any luck, reduce the severity of their injuries. The system works via a set of time delay-controlled actuators, which helps ensure that the system protects unfortunate passerby as effectively as possible.

Patent shows Porsche working on pop-up hood for next 911 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Just how tight are supplies of new Audi models?

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi, Humor

Audi supply and demand

Audi customers going to extreme measures to get a new car – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Audi has taken to the Web to poke fun at its own recent supply issues while sneaking in a quick jab at its competitors. The company claims that Mercedes, BMW and Lexus owners have been jumping ship to Audi in record numbers, which is why Ingolstadt can’t keep its dealers stocked.

The commercial may soon wind up being more accurate than it is funny, as the company has dwindled down to a 27-day reserve supply of cars, is at maximum production capacity at its European factories and is seeing huge numbers of custom orders. With custom orders coming in faster than flood water and factories working overtime, some customers are waiting months to take delivery.

While we can’t imagine how stressful it is to work for Audi right now, the company can’t be too bummed out that its products are moving so successfully. To see just how rabid Audi fans may become, check out the video after the jump. Check out the video after the break.

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Just how tight are supplies of new Audi models? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: LA Sheriff’s Department tests new police cruisers, compiles findings in 174-page report

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Police/Emergency

2011 chevrolet caprice police car

2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Car – Click above for high-res image gallery

Curious about the latest crop of cop cars? The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department – which undoubtedly has good reason to be interested in such machines – has released a bit of data to help clue you in on the newest cruisers. California’s Boys in Blue put 15 vehicles through rigorous testing, and they ended up with a rather large stack of results. How large are we talking?

174 pages.

We thought cops hated paperwork, but it appears the movie industry has again lied to us. Those 174 pages are filled with stats on all 15 test vehicles, officer insight into vehicle performance and results from the various types of tests applied.

We’ll be honest… we’ve only skimmed. We’re not quite ready to take a deep dive into this particular PDF, however, it’s available for you to peruse at the LA County Sheriff’s Department website, should you have some time to kill.

LA Sheriff’s Department tests new police cruisers, compiles findings in 174-page report originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini Aventador gets first aftermarket tune from Oakley Design

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Lamborghini

oakley design lamborghini aventador lp760-2

Oakley Design Lamborghini Aventador LP760-2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Oakley Design is one automotive aftermarket tuning firm that often gets things very right. Rather than turning to outrageous, over-the-top styling touches, Oakley Design realizes it’s working with something that’s already special and simply turns the knob from 10 to 11. We saw the firms take on the Ferrari 458 Italia, and now we’ve learned that the Lamborghini Aventador is set to be tweaked.

If you read the photo caption closely, you may have thought we incorrectly called the car an Aventador LP760-2. Normally, you’d expect to see that written LP700-4, which means the car is a (nearly) 700-horsepower, all-wheel-drive monster. Not this one. The mad-minds at Oakley Design are pushing out more power, and they want it all being sent to the rear wheels. The goal is 760-horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, and it will be achieved through an ECU remap, larger airbox and intake setup and a lighter titanium exhaust system.

Besides performance upgrades, Oakley Design is adding subtle exterior updates to the Aventador’s appearance. Signature Oakley Design wheels sit at all four corners (19-inch front/20-inch rear), and are wrapped in the Aventador’s standard Pirelli PZero tires. Oakley design nabbed the rollers thanks to its partnership with HRE Wheels.

This upgraded Lambo also has wider side sills, larger side vents, a deeper rear diffuser and carbon fiber on the side mirrors, roof and engine bay. See it for yourself in our high-res image gallery, and check out the press release after the break.

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Lamborghini Aventador gets first aftermarket tune from Oakley Design originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Nissan Leaf Nismo RC gets on-track shakedown

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan, Videos, Nissan, Electric, Racing

Nissan Leaf Nismo RC on track

Nissan Leaf Nismo RC – Click above to watch video after the jump

Nissan has yet to figure out exactly where the company will campaign its new Leaf RC racer, but that hasn’t stopped the engineers behind the Japanese automaker’s Nismo effort from getting the machine out on track for a little shake-down action.

With its sexy carbon fiber bodywork, three-door layout and silent electric drivetrain, the car looks plenty sinister in its element. And while the vehicle’s new skin is both longer and wider than the street-going Leaf, the race car uses the same drivetrain as what’s whirring around on public streets right now, though it’s worth noting that everything has been shifted closer to the passenger cell to improve weight balance.

Nissan says that ideally, the company would eventually like to replace traditional ICE racing with EVs and that it would also like to branch out into other forms of motorsports that have never been explored. Those include city races where typical race cars are too loud to compete and indoor events where a zero-emission vehicle could truly shine. Hit the jump to check out the video for yourself.

Continue reading Nissan Leaf Nismo RC gets on-track shakedown

Nissan Leaf Nismo RC gets on-track shakedown originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bimmerfest 2011 invades the Rose Bowl

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Performance, Etc., BMW, Luxury

Bimmerfest 2011 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Started more than a decade ago as a small get-together for enthusiasts at a Santa Barbara BMW retailer, Bimmerfest celebrated its eleventh anniversary at a much larger venue this weekend: the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The largest BMW gathering in North America draws participants from all over the country thanks to a very active online membership in its Bimmerfest forums. As has traditionally been the case, most attendees meet up early in the morning to caravan hours to the Southern California event.

Despite unseasonably gloomy weather, there were more than 3,000 BMW vehicles on display. BMW North American brought its big rig with several cars including the new 2011 1 Series M Coupe. There was an excellent showing of E31 8 Series models, including an 850CSi (powered by a S70B56 5.6-liter V12 with a six-speed manual gearbox). We spotted plenty of E30 M3 models, several Z3 Coupe variants and an E23 745i (the gray market sedan features a turbocharged inline-six). The Nitto Tire both held the GSR Autosport Z4R, competing in the 2011 Formula Drift series with a 600-plus horsepower turbocharged S54 engine. Other notable BMWs in attendance included a race-bred M1, several sinister X6 M SAVs, and a spectacular 1972 E9 3.0 CSi Coupe – this year, we’ll call that one our show favorite.

There is good news for BMW owners on the East Coast. The event organizers have announced a second North American event, to be held in early August in Aberdeen, Maryland. BMW owners, start polishing your cars now.

Bimmerfest 2011 invades the Rose Bowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz to shoehorn twin-turbo V12 into the G-Wagen for 612-hp G65 AMG?

Brabus G V12 S Biturbo – Click above for high-resolution image gallery

After over three decades of production, the big boxy Mercedes-Benz G-Class is not long for this world. (At least, not in three-door, short-wheelbase form.) But while a Final Edition is already being offered in Europe, you didn’t think that Mercedes would leave it down to some extra chrome to bid auf weidersehen to its long-serving, all-conquering workhorse, did you? Of course not. At least, not if the boffins at AMG have anything to say about it, and if these rumors prove true.

The word circulating these interwebs is that AMG is planning to shoehorn in the twin-turbo V12 from the S65 AMG into the G-Wagen’s engine bay for a monstrous twelve-cylinder rolling barn with 612 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of twist.

That’s a lot of power no matter which way you look at it, but we already know it can be done. AMG is said to have produced a few such G-12s for custom order, as has its closely related tuning house Brabus (the result of which is pictured above). Would Affalterbach be able to find enough customers to officially offer such a vehicle? Go deep enough into Asian markets like Russia and the Gulf emirates and you just might find out.

Mercedes-Benz to shoehorn twin-turbo V12 into the G-Wagen for 612-hp G65 AMG? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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