Report: Hyundai Genesis won’t get all-wheel drive until next gen

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Hyundai, Luxury

2012 hyundai genesis sedan

2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to the sleuths at Car and Driver, the current Hyundai Genesis won’t come with all-wheel drive. Instead, buyers will have to wait until at least 2014 before the traction-adding tech shows up on the company’s luxury four-door. That may also mean that the Genesis Coupe and the lengthy Equus will miss out on all-wheel drive for another few years until the Korean automaker can come up with a refreshed platform. Hyundai CEO John Krafcik has long made it clear that the Genesis twins and the Equus would receive an all-wheel drive option in the future, but we were hoping that we’d see a variant of the refreshed-for-2012 model that churns from all four wheels.

As Car and Driver points out, the Genesis Sedan has seen fairly strong sales since its introduction, and the addition of all-wheel drive will likely help the model inch ever closer toward that magic 30,000 unit-per-year mark. Unfortunately, with at least three years before an all-new model touches down, buyers will have to content themselves with the rash of more powerful engines, a reworked suspension and refined visuals that Hyundai recently unveiled.

Hyundai Genesis won’t get all-wheel drive until next gen originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 May 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Osama bin Laden rejected plans for truck designed to mow down humans

Filed under: Etc.

Trucks from Death Race

If you’ve been living in a house with no TV or internet connection, you may not have heard that Osama bin Laden was found and killed. Actually, even if you have been living in such a house, you still probably know about bin Laden. Teams of analysts are combing through a mountain of data recovered from bin Laden’s compound, and one nugget of information they’ve found is a bit surprising; bin Laden was against a proposed plan for U.S.-based Al Qaeda operatives to weld blades to the grilles of pickup trucks and run down pedestrians.

This plan was laid out by Inspire, an English-language magazine by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The magazine stated that drivers of the customized trucks could look for crowded areas, then motor onto the sidewalk and cause major carnage. It’s a sick plan, and apparently bin Laden felt the same way. He called it “indiscriminate slaughter,” and felt it wasn’t in line with what Al Qaeda does.

Yes, seriously. And no, we’re not making this up. Read more about this aborted plan and the way bin Laden managed the terror organization from his secluded home at this link.

Osama bin Laden rejected plans for truck designed to mow down humans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear crew makes pit stop, has trouble charging electric cars [w/video]

Filed under: Nissan, Peugeot, Celebrities, Humor, Electric

Jeremy Clarkson gets a push in a Nissan Leaf

Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson gets a push in a Nissan Leaf – Click above to watch the video after the break

It would seem that the guys from Top Gear are back to giving electric vehicles the what-for. According to The Lincolnite, James May and Jeremy Clarkson were respectively spotted piloting a Peugeot iOn and a Nissan Leaf through England during a cross-country trek (which is exactly what electric cars are for, right?).

The duo stopped by Lincolnshire County to ask about the nearest place to charge their alternative-fuel steeds, only to find that the entire municipality is bereft of chargers. Apparently May and Clarkson then set about driving around the city until their vehicles died and they were forced to get a tow.

If this all sounds familiar, that’s because Top Gear rustled up a mess of snakes the last time Clarkson jumped behind the wheel of an EV. After depicting the Tesla Roadster as suffering a brake failure and running out of power, Tesla shot back refuting what happened as pure fiction. That little dust-up has yet to settle.

The truth is that the vast majority of people come to Top Gear to be entertained, and most viewers probably realize that there’s plenty of editing that goes into each segment. We seriously doubt that most EV buyers use the UK show as a go-to resource, but that doesn’t stop the constant ragging on alternative fuels from growing trite.

Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Top Gear crew makes pit stop, has trouble charging electric cars [w/video]

Top Gear crew makes pit stop, has trouble charging electric cars [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What you missed on 5.12.11

First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The new V6 and V8 E-Class wants to take you farther on a full tank while making more power and torque to exercise your executive privileges.

Spy Shots: Are you the Audi Q5 S? *UPDATE

This tester is clearly sporting larger brakes and a quad-exhaust setup, leading us to believe that this isn’t just another S-Line suspension and badge job.

Report: Saab deal with Chinese partner collapses

Uh oh… this could be very bad for the Saab brand.

Also of interest:

  • Volkswagen Jetta price quietly increases by $500
  • Washington State Troopers remind motorists that the left lane is for passing
  • Nissan earns $6.27B in CY 2010
  • Official: Porsche gives us another with the 911 Carrera 4 GTS
  • Volvo earns $103M in Q1, $370 million for CY 2010

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

What you missed on 5.12.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 20:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jalen Rose offers up his 1969 Dodge Charger General Lee for charity

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Dodge, Celebrities, Specialty

jalen rose and his 1969 dodge charger general lee

Jalen Rose to auction of ’69 Dodge Charger General Lee – Click above for image gallery

Jalen Rose, former NBA player and member of Michigan’s Fab Five, is looking to help out a charitable organization founded in his name. It’s called the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, and it’s a preparatory school for students in grades 9-12, located in Detroit. The JRLA is slated to open in September of 2011, and 120 students will enter the halls as ninth graders. Rose has chosen to offer up his 1969 Dodge Charger General Lee at auction, and all of the proceeds will be put towards the new school.

Rose took the liberty of making a few changes to this particular car. The Confederate flag has been removed from the roof and the numbers on the doors have been changed to show “05” in honor of Rose’s playing number.

This is not simply a Dukes of Hazzard replica, however, as this Charger is one of the few surviving cars used during filming of the television show. Jalen Rose’s signature can be found under the hood, along with the John Hancock of Bo Duke himself, John Schneider.

The auction will get underway on May 23rd, and the car will be listed with an opening bid of $45,000. This is a no-reserve auction with the proceeds going to a good cause, so pegging the final hammer price is rather tricky. Head over to the eBay Motors listing for more information on both the car and Jalen Rose Leadership Academy.

Jalen Rose offers up his 1969 Dodge Charger General Lee for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why your car might buzz uncontrollably if you are late making your next payment

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

Rocky Mountain Tracking logoA company by the name of Rocky Mountain Tracking is out to make sure that car buyers never forget another payment so long as they live. The GPS manufacturer has developed a new device that can be remotely activated to generate a loud buzzing noise should a delinquent consumer forget to make their payment. The appropriately-named Smart Tracker Payment Reminder Buzzer can immediately be deactivated once the borrower is caught back up and on schedule. While the Smart Tracker has been on the market for a while now, the buzzing feature is a new option.

Car dealerships frequently install devices like the Smart Tracker to keep tabs on the location of vehicles sold to high-risk customers. The device can accurately locate the vehicle should a visit from the repo man become necessary, making the dealer’s life considerably easier. In addition, the devices protect both the owner and the dealer in the event of a theft. Head over to Rocky Mountain Tracking to see the rest of the company’s wares and hit the jump for a full press release.

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Why your car might buzz uncontrollably if you are late making your next payment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Online Find of the Day: Luigi Chinetti’s ’69 Ferrari 365 GT Speciale cover girl

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Ferrari

1969 Ferrari 365 GT Speciale

1969 Ferrari 365 GT Speciale – Click above for image gallery

If one name is synonymous with Ferrari in North America, it’s surely Luigi Chinetti. The Italian-American was Maranello’s first importer and dealer in the United States, and was also the founder of the North American Racing Team (NART) that campaigned Prancing Horses on American circuits. And in case that wasn’t enough to prove his credentials, he also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans no less than three times.

Chinetti’s considerable influence with Ferrari also led to a handful of road cars built to his specifications. The convertible version of the iconic 275 GTB/4, for example, was known as the NART Spyder. Chinetti also had a pair of these 365 GT Speciales built to his specifications by Carrozzeria Autosport of Modena, and one of them is now up for sale out of Seattle.

Given the 80s styling, we’d venture that the conversion was undertaken years after the vehicle’s production. And while its coachwork may be divisive, it is consistent: one look at the NART’s later 512 BB LM and you’ll immediately see the family resemblance. Based on the 365 GT 2+2 (not to be confused with the Daytona that replaced it), it packs a 4.4-liter triple-carb V12 and independent suspension.

According to the seller, this unique example (chassis 12611 in red over black, as opposed to the second example in black over cream) was featured on the cover of the April 1989 issue of Automobile Magazine. Ferrari of Seattle is asking just under $300k, which may seem like a big chunk of change, but for such a rare example of American Ferrari history – one which sold for $314k in Tokyo way back in 1991 – this could worth it.

Online Find of the Day: Luigi Chinetti’s ’69 Ferrari 365 GT Speciale cover girl originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A.J. Foyt to replace Donald Trump as Scott Speed and Ho-Pin Tung debut at 100th Indy 500

Filed under: Motorsports, Celebrities

Donald Trump in the Indy 500 pace car

It’ll be a landmark running for the Indianapolis 500 later this month, as the event celebrates its 100th anniversary as the premier open-wheel racing event in America. All of which only gave some fans more reason to be ticked off when Donald Trump was announced as this year’s pace car driver.

Annoyed by political implications detracting from the spirit of racing, many fans were up in arms when Trump was announced as the official pace car driver, evidently prompting the celebrity businessman and possible presidential candidate to change his plans. In his place, organizers at the Speedway have invited none other than A.J. Foyt to drive the Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible that will serve as the official pace car. As a four-time Indy 500 winner, Foyt is among the most decorated drivers ever to lap the Brickyard, and his nomination will surely come as more welcome news to the legions of open-wheel devotees.

In related news, two drivers better known for their formula racing activities overseas will make their Indy debuts at the 500 this year. One of them is Scott Speed, the last American to race in Formula One. Speed shifted over the NASCAR after things didn’t pan out in F1, until Red Bull dropped his sponsorship last year. Given his experience in open wheels and oval tracks, Speed may find a new home at Indy.

Also making his Indy debut will be Ho-Pin Tung, who will become the first Chinese driver to contest the Indianapolis 500. Tung is a reserve/test driver for Renault F1 this season and has contested such feeder series as GP2, A1GP and Superleague Formula. Both he and Speed will be driving for Jay Penske’s Dragon Racing team and will be eligible for the $5 million bonus available to drivers from outside the series should they overcome the insurmountable odds to claim the checkered flag and drink milk in victory lane.

A.J. Foyt to replace Donald Trump as Scott Speed and Ho-Pin Tung debut at 100th Indy 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra earn IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards

Filed under: Truck, Safety, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota

2011 Ford F-150 IIHS Full-Size Pickup Rollover Crash Test

IIHS Full-Size Pickup Rollover Crash Testing – Click above for high-res image gallery

Like their body-on-frame SUV cousins, full-size pickup trucks are more prone to roll over than a standard passenger car. That’s exactly why it’s so important to have a vehicle that earns good marks in roof-strength tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just released the data on its recent volley of tests on full-size pickup trucks, and both the 2011 Ford F-150 and 2011 Toyota Tundra earned the coveted Top Safety Pick designation. The vehicles earned the highest possible rating of ‘good’ in the institutes crush test, where a large steel plate is pressed against one corner of the roof to calculate a strength-to-weight ratio.

Meanwhile, the 2011 Nissan Titan took home an acceptable rating in the rollover evaluation while the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, 2011 GMC Sierra and 2011 Ram 1500 netted marginal scores.

IIHS says that the roof on the Toyota Tundra stood up to 4.5 times the truck’s weight while the F-150 handled 4.7 times the pressure. A vehicle must withstand 4 times its weight before five-inches of crush is detected before being awarded a Good rating. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra earn IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards

Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra earn IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo earns $103M in Q1, $370 million for CY 2010

Filed under: China, Crossover, Volvo

volvo xc60 logo

Volvo has posted a solid first quarter, with earnings jumping to $103 million. That’s nearly double the Q1, 2010 totals, in part due to continued strong demand for its XC60 crossover. The Geely-owned automaker expects the revenue to continue to flow throughout 2011, as the automaker is hoping to increase sales by 70,000 units on the year to 450,000 units.

Volvo has also announced total earnings for calendar year 2010. The automaker says it earned $370 million on the year, again in part because of strong XC60 sales and the successful launch of the S60. High commodity prices weighed down earnings a bit, but the automaker says strong net pricing largely offset the rising price of energy and steel.

Hit the jump to read over Volvo’s 2010 earnings press release.

Continue reading Volvo earns $103M in Q1, $370 million for CY 2010

Volvo earns $103M in Q1, $370 million for CY 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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